The deal opening the way for Russia's membership to the World Trade Organizations was reached during wide-ranging talks between European Union officials and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Brussels. They underscore warming ties between the two sides after divisions over the 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict.
The European Union's permanent President Herman Van Rompuy (1)_________________________"We agreed that we should now focus on the multi-lateral negotiations so that Russia can become a member of the WTO as soon as possible. This is a paramount step forward. And a step the world is closely watching."
Moscow is the European Union's third-biggest trading partner and(2)_____________________________ As a result, it must settle differences through bilateral negotiations with separate states.
Russia received U.S. backing for its WTO membership (3)___________________________________________________
Separately, The Associated Press news agency reported Medvedev is urging NATO to drop a secret agreement to defend three Baltic states against military attack during a meeting with the Atlantic alliance Wednesday in Brussels.
