Geneva,
December 16, 2011
United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk met today with Russian Minister of Trade and Economic Development Elvira Nabiullina in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference. During the meeting, Ambassador Kirk congratulated Minister Nabiullina on Russia’s landmark achievement in concluding negotiations on the terms of its accession to the WTO; WTO Ministers today are extending a formal invitation to Russia to join the world trade body. Ambassador Kirk discussed with Minister Nabiullina the determination of President Obama and his Administration to work vigorously with the U.S. Congress to enact legislation enabling the United States to fully benefit from Russia’s membership when Russia does accede to the WTO following its domestic ratification procedures.
Additionally, Ambassador Kirk raised a number of trade issues on which the United States particularly hopes to work closely with Russia in the coming months, including in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and enforcement of intellectual property rights.