The US has long objected to Russia joining the WTO because of
trade tariffs on US goods and, more recently, because its copyright
law is seen as being out of step with that of the US. Renegade
music download site Allofmp3.com, which claims to comply with
Russian law, has been the best-known indicator of the legal gulf
between the nations' laws.
It is thought that the controversial site, which sells music
downloads but only pays royalties into a fund not recognised by
most European or US collection societies, has been the subject of
discussions between Russia and the US at political levels as high
as that of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
"A separate copyright protection accord will be signed," Gref
told press in Russia.
Russia hopes to agree a bilateral deal with the US on its entry
into the WTO. Though that does not guarantee entry, the
opposition of the US is the main stumbling block for the largest
economy outside of the WTO still to be refused entry.
Russian politicians hope to have a deal with the US ready to
sign next week when Russian President Vladimir Putin and US
President George Bush meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic
Co-operation summit.
"The task you set was to complete all negotiations in order to
ensure the signing of the document in time for your meeting with
President Bush in Hanoi," said Gref in a cabinet meeting with Putin
televised in Russia. "We have every chance of issuing all the
documents and completing all technical work by this time. We will
do everything to ensure the signing at your meeting."
The two sides had hoped to announce a deal at this summer's G8
summit in St Petersburg, but agriculture issues blocked the deal.
The main trade issues the US has with Russia are believed to be
Russian obstacles to the importing of US poultry, beef and
pork.
