Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3
By Anahanum Khidayatova – Trend:
Azerbaijan's entering the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been delayed, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammadguliyev told reporters.
“The Azerbaijani side has submitted the necessary documents, but the WTO has its own rules, and the organization has put forward some conditions, offers,” he said. “However, we are not yet ready for the next phase of negotiations. We will fix the next meeting after the necessary documents are ready. Our goal is to expand economy first, and then resume the negotiations.”
Azerbaijan has had an observer status at the WTO since 1997. A working group on Azerbaijan was established at the WTO Secretariat on July 16, 1997.
Azerbaijan started negotiations with the WTO member countries in 2004. Currently, the country is negotiating with 19 countries. Russia, which formally expressed a desire to start negotiations with Azerbaijan, was the last one to join the organization, but no offers have been received from this country yet.
Negotiations are now completed, and the protocols signed with Turkey, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The country is at the stage of signing the protocol with China and Moldova.
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