Brussels, 17/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is very upbeat about the outcome of the EU-Russian summit of 14 November in Nice, France (see EUROPE 9783). On the day before, Moscow made a conciliatory gesture by promising to postpone for nine months the increase in export tariffs on Russian wood, the final obstacle to the EU granting Russia the go-ahead for joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO, see EUROPE 9782). “Our meeting has been an important strengthening and deepening of ties between the EU and Russia. The Russian president (Ed: Dimitri Medvedev) has used the Nice summit to send the clearest signal yet of Russia's commitment to joining the WTO. This is welcome news for everyone who does business with Russia. Investors and traders need the certainty and predictability that comes with membership of the WTO. WTO membership is like a quality label on a product, it brings reassurance and international guarantees. Equally, Russian investors abroad will also reap the benefits of WTO membership,” she explained in a press release. On WTO membership, Baroness Ashton said: “We are more than 90% of the way there. I firmly believe that the remaining issues can be resolved… in the coming months.” (E.H./transl.fl)