Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would help increase the country's non-oil exports, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev said on September 18.

"I think the rules of WTO will have a positive impact on the development of the country's economy and help increase non-oil exports," Mammadguliyev said at a meeting of the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC) in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital.

Azerbaijan has been in talks with WTO since 2004 to join the organization. Mammadguliyev said WTO accession talks are underway in four key areas. Negotiations are ongoing as part of a working group which plans to hold its next meeting by the end of the year.

Talks are also being held at bilateral and multi-lateral levels with WTO member states. Work is also underway to bring Azerbaijani laws in line with WTO regulations, the deputy foreign minister said.

Mammadguliyev said that the number of WTO member states seeking to start bilateral talks with Azerbaijan is growing. Argentina recently expressed the desire to start talks with Azerbaijan, he said.

While talking to an increasing number of WTO member states causes additional problems for Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea nation is happy to see countries like Argentina showing interest in Azerbaijani market, Mammadguliyev said.