world news - 16.10.2007
Russia to propose solution in EU lumber trade row
Russia will propose a solution in a trade row with the EU on lumber
export duties in time for a summit meeting in Portugal this month,
trade negotiator Maxim Medvedkov said. "This issue demands a solution. The ball is in our court, and we may
provide an answer before the summit in Portugal. The problem exists and
we will work to solve it," he told a news briefing. The EU-Russia summit will be held on October 26. President Vladimir Putin ordered the imposition of export duties on
raw timber in March, after saying he wanted to promote the development
of the domestic wood-processing industry. The move angered EU members
Finland and Sweden, whose pulp and paper industries process large
amounts of Russian timber, and has become an obstacle to Russia's bid
to join the World Trade Organisation. Mr Medvedkov rejected accusations from Sweden that the duties violated earlier agreements between Russia and the EU. "Russia had the full legal right to do this," he said. "All our
agreements with the EU on the issue will only take effect when Russia
joins the ssia,
the world's ninth-largest economy, is the largest country outside the
WTO. Moscow has been in membership talks since the mid-1990s and
officials now hope to complete entry formalities next year.
See also:
- — No disaster fund for Swedish forest owners
- — Madagascar: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,have just completed the first vegetation atlas of the country.
- — Engineered Wood Construction Guide Now Available
- — Belarus to develop international standards for timber
- — Greenpeace Urges Indonesia to Stop Forest Destruction
