Russia still hopes to negotiate with Georgia on the WTO

"If you see a political component, we hope to reach an agreement on accession to the WTO Russia and Georgia", – said Russian Foreign Minister. Russia is trying to become a WTO member since 1993. In late April 2008, Georgia came out of the negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO, protesting against the orders of the President of Russia to lift economic sanctions against Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After the 2008 war and Russia's recognition of the unilateral independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Tbilisi severed diplomatic relations with Moscow. WTO talks between Georgia and Russia were resumed in March this year, brokered by Switzerland. The main issue at WTO negotiations puts the Georgian side legalization of customs checkpoints on the Abkhaz and South Ossetian sections. Tbilisi insists that Georgian customs officers should be present at customs checkpoints in those areas because they are de jure Georgian-Russian border and need to function properly. At the same time the Georgian authorities claim that this is not a political issue, and the requirements of the statute of the WTO. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia may join the organization, bypassing Georgia. According to the statute the WTO, while joining the opinion may be ignored by a member.