TBILISI — Georgia accepted on Thursday a new proposal from Swiss mediators aimed at resolving a border trade dispute and paving the way for Russia to join the World Trade Organization, a senior Georgian diplomat said.
Sergi Kapanadze, deputy foreign minister and the head of Georgia's delegation to the Swiss-mediated talks, said the proposal would provide for the electronic exchange of trade data and international monitoring of the borders between Russia and two breakaway Georgian regions.
"If Russia accepts this proposal, it will become a WTO member. … There is nothing unacceptable for Russian in this proposal as this document is a result of compromise," Kapanadze said, adding that Russia had yet to agree to the proposal.
Russia is aiming to become a WTO member at the ministerial conference in December, and the border trade dispute is the last remaining substantial obstacle for Russia's accession, with other remaining issues seen as technicalities.
Georgia wants to have access to information about trade in the breakaway regions since some of the goods end up in territory controlled by the Tbilisi government.
Kapanadze did not say whether the new plan implied a physical presence of international monitors at the border — an idea Russia opposed in the past.
Kapanadze said the new proposal was "status neutral," implying that it did not refer to the political status of Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow recognized as independent nations after a five-day war in 2008.
"It is the final proposal, it won't and cannot be changed. The game is really over now, and it is up to the Russians to decide," Kapanadze said.
Russia needs several days to review the Swiss mediators' proposal, Russia's WTO accession negotiator said Thursday.
"In order to define our stance toward this proposal, we need several days," Maxim Medvedkov said, adding that Russia could come up with an answer early next week.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
