Dictatorship wants to WTO

The Belarusian deputy minister of economy met with Ethan Goldrich, the US Chargé d'Affaires to Belarus.

Prospects for Belarus's accession to the World Trade Association (WTO) were discussed at the meeting, Interfax news agency reports.

“The parties exchanged views on possible changes in the regulatory framework of bilateral cooperation and stepping up the process of Belarus's accession to the World Trade Association,” the press service of the Ministry of Economy reports.

Issues of the bilateral economic cooperation, development of small and medium-sized business in Belarus and implementation of international technical assistance programmes were discussed during the meeting.

Participants of the meeting touched on the issue of importance for Belarus to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the press service informs. According to the Ministry of Economy, membership in the organisation would allow Belarus to use international legislation to counter illegal business activity, implement international technical assistance treaties, get access to international practice of business climate improvement, boost investment attractiveness, etc.

Lukashenka said in October 2012 that the country was ready to join the WTO and complained the EU and the US hindered the process.

Belarus cannot get access to the WTO due to political prisoners and human rights violations in the country.