Russia, Costa Rica complete talks on WTO accession.

Russia, Costa Rica complete talks on WTO accession. Russia and Costa Rica completed the WTO accession talks, EconMin German Gref informed. The agreement has not been signed yet. Currently, Russia needs to complete talks with Georgia , Moldova and Sri Lanka . As we reported earlier, Russia reached an agreement with the US and might be able to sign a protocol during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Vietnam on Nov 18-19. Before Russia signs the protocol with Sri Lanka , the issue of the latter’s import of Ceylon tea to Russia must be settled. Besides, Georgia threatened to block Russia ’s WTO accession due to the states’ diplomatic and economic conflict. Recently, Russia increased natural gas prices for Georgia to USD 230 per 1,000 m 3 , which is highest level for its former USSR consumers. Thus, Georgia may face an energy crisis this winter. Still, Georgia may ease its position on WTO entry if Russia signs the agreement with the US .