BOSTON, NOVEMBER 17, 2002. /RIA Novosti correspondent Dmitry Klimentov/ -- Russian presidential adviser for economic issues Andrei Illarionov doubts Russia's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the near future. He expressed his opinion to RIA Novosti Saturday in the course of the Russian investment symposium in Boston, Massachusetts. Proceeding not only from the discussions during the forum, but also from the situation as a whole and the negotiations being held on Russia's accession to the WTO, there is still a lot of unsettled problems, approximately four blocs being under discussion, he noted. "Judging by the pace of settling the previous issues it seems to me that the rest issues won't be settled in the near future." Speaking earlier to participants in the forum Illarionov noted the complexity of WTO talks in issues related to opening Russian markets to foreign goods and services, as well as energy prices. According to him, the political decision on the necessity of Russia's entry into the WTO has been made and the need of this step is being realised by both the executive and legislative branches. The point at issue is how "to protect our own interests" balancing them with the interests and demands claimed by western partners, the presidential adviser stressed.
Participants in the symposium named different terms for Russia's entry into the WTO - from one to seven years.