Protocol on Russia’s accession to WTO comes into forceAugust 22, 2012 - 10:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The protocol on Russia’s accession to the Marrakesh Agreement, the foundation document for the World Trade Organization (WTO), enters into force on Wednesday, Aug 22, RIA Novosti reports. The document, which makes Russia the global trade body’s 156th member, was signed in Geneva on December 16, 2011 after 18 years of negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law that authorizes the protocol on July 21. The Economic Development Ministry said the WTO membership will lower prices for both imported and domestic goods. According to the World Bank, the admission will give Russia an additional 3.3 percent of GDP annually for the first three years, with the figure likely to increase later. Critics have claimed that Russia’s accession to the WTO is detrimental to the country’s national sovereignty and security and could ruin entire sectors of the domestic economy. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |