Alexei Mordashov, general director of Severstal, leads a work group on WTO membership within the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. In the last two days it has been discussing customs policies and WTO membership with the State Duma representatives.
   Alexei Mordashov noted that a number of decisions made by the work group are very helpful. They will allow to coordinate work of the Government, State Duma and Russian businesses on a number of Russia's economic problems. Particularly, according to Mordashov, decision was made that representatives of his work group will take part in the Expert Council on Customs legislation. This council is active in the relevant subcommittee of the State Duma. Head of the committee Valeri Draganov was present at yesterday's meeting.
   The second decision concerned Russia's succession into WTO. Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade M. Medvedkov reported of the course of government negotiations on Russian entry in WTO.
   "We were glad to hear that Russia has a chance to take part in deciding on important issues, discussed within WTO. This opportunity appeared even though Russia is not yet formally included in WTO. We certainly would like to use the chance to express the point of view of Russian businesses on all issues which we are invited to discuss. Of those, issues of ecology and trade are of major importance. Participation in discussion prior to WTO making its decision on these issues will help Russia avoid ecological sanctions that influence trade relations," said Mordashov.
   Maxim Medvedkov said that of intellectual property rules of trade, level of state support of agriculture within WTO and other issues will be discussed by Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs the following month. After that the agreed upon position will be presented to the Russian government.