Brussels, 13/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - While the EU is not hiding its annoyance at Russia's non-respect of its WTO trade obligations, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo asks for Russia to be given more time.
“The commitments that Russia undertook are pretty significant. If you look at the protocol of accession of Russia, there are many commitments which are going to require reforms, implementing actions. And like in every other country, these changes don't come about easily. So there will be an effort to be taken. But, as far as I can tell, Russia is engaged. I think they are putting the effort”, said Azevedo, responding to a question raised by Daniel Caspary MEP (EPP, Germany) when Azevedo visited the European Parliament on 12 February. “When an economy joins the WTO, there is a maturity time. Just to understand the culture of the organisation is a big challenge. But they [the Russians] are trying, they are putting the resources”, he added, saying that “in Bali, they were very supportive. They actively tried to make other delegations converge.” “I think they are engaged and they want to do it. It is a painful process. Remember the early days of China's accession - it was uncertain. But things evolved positively. For Russia, I think the will is there”, Azevedo concluded.
The EU is growing tired of how long it is taking Russia to fall into line with its WTO obligations. In addition to the EU's complaint against the Russian recycling tax for cars - which has already been examined by a dispute settlement body (DS 4623 at the WTO - see EUROPE 10791) - the European Commission is targeting Russia's repeated restrictions on sanitary and phytosanitary issues, and tariff rises on dozens of imported products since Russia's membership of the WTO in the summer of 2012. Moscow, for its part, has brought its first case to the WTO against the EU - contesting the EU's anti-dumping duties on Russia's exports of ammonium nitrate and steel products. (EH/transl.fl)