AlHijjah 14, 1432, Nov 10, 2011, SPA -- The European Union's executive on Thursday hailed the deal that was expected to pave the way next month for Russia's admission into the World Trade Organization (TWO). Following a bilateral agreement in which existing WTO-member Georgia dropped its opposition to Russia's membership bid, a WTO review committee on Thursday gave its go-ahead to the country's admission into the Geneva-based organization, dpa reported. "I am delighted that Russia is now set to join the WTO. This is an important step for Russia's economic development and for the multilateral trading system," EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said in a statement. De Gucht said Europe "played a critical role to ensure this long-standing goal" was finally achieved, and added he was looking forward to a WTO ministerial meeting in December that should "formally endorse Russia's accession."
