1. www.rusrec.ru RUSSIAN REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Implementation of international standards and role of civil society

2. RF Memorandum on FT and international environmental obligations 1992 - Rio Declaration, CBD, FCCC/ Kyoto Protocol; Bazel and Ramsaar Convenions (Party) Party/Signatory to UNECE Conventions RF Memorandum on Foreign Trade Regime submited in March 1994 Russia is currently an observer in WTO

4. OBJECTIVES OF ACCESSION ACHIEVE MOST FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR RUSSIA i.g. best balance possible between - benefits of accession and - concessions in forms of tariffs reduction and domestic markets opening German Gref, Minister of Economic Development and Trade: the balance of rights and obligations of Russia during its accession to the WTO should contribute to its economic growth and not vice versa

5. System issues : * Agrarian issues are of special priority for Russia ; * Russian legislation and enforcement practice being in conflict with WTO norms; * Participants of the negotiations require categorically fulfillment of all WTO provisions in this sphere; * Requirements subject o negotiations

6. System issues : so-called "WTO+" requirements * unification of domestic and external prices for energy resources; * special conditions of notifications - on the trade regime - on the course of privatization * requirement on joining the agreements on - government procurement, - civil aircrafts, which are not obligatory in WTO.

7. Main concerns of Russian Civil Society * agrarian/biological/food safety; * environmental safety; * technical support to standards implementation; * low enforcement / corruption

8. Thank you! Olga Razbash (495) 737 6448 razbash@rusrec.ru WWW.RUSREC.RU RUSSIAN REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER