02-09-2010 10:02:30

Talks on Azerbaijan’s WTO accession due in Nov.

BAKU – The next round of talks on Azerbaijan’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) is due in November, an official of the Economic Development Ministry has said.

Bakhtiyar Alishov told journalists that Baku had submitted its proposals related to the forthcoming multilateral discussions to the WTO secretariat and the representations of the group’s member states.

According to him, Azerbaijan is currently holding bilateral talks on WTO accession mainly with the 27-member European Union and the United States.

“If an agreement satisfying both sides is reached with these countries, the process of WTO membership will be expedited,” Alishov said.

He went on to say that Azerbaijan is expected to sign an agreement soon  on the completion of bilateral accession talks with Moldova and Kyrgyzstan. Such protocols have already been signed with Georgia, Oman, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Azerbaijan applied for WTO membership 13 years ago, but it is still unknown when it will accede to the organization. Azerbaijani officials do not believe the country’s accession is likely in the coming years. The South Caucasus republic currently has an observer status in the WTO.

TAGS: Azerbaijan, Baku, membership, World Trade Organization, Economic Development Ministry, Bakhtiyar Alishov, WTO, European Union, United States, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Caucasus republic