Entering WTO is not feasible for Kazakhstan: Expert

Chief researcher of Kazakhstan President's Institute of Strategic Research, professor Murat Laumulin gave his opinion on Kazakhstan's possible entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The expert doubts that anyone in the post-Soviet territory needs to enter this organization, Total.kz writes. According to him, this step for the former Soviet countries is nothing more than a political prestige issue and a desire to step into the so-called "global scene". "In fact, the WTO is nothing more than a fiction. All the major players enter the organization on their own terms. For example, China managed to negotiate its accession in such a way that it received unilateral benefits from this step. So to speak, China "destroyed" Italian textile industry," Laumulin said. "All the major players stick to their own economic policies regardless of what they are required by the WTO regulations and obligations. The European Union shields itself with rate barriers, the U.S. are conducting "trade wars". Should they follow the organization's principles only, the situation that we see today would not exist." As for Kazakhstan, it is negotiating with all the involved parties independently and does not need anyone's help in accession into the WTO, the professor stressed. Earlier head of Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that Russia would help Belarus and Kazakhstan become WTO members. Secretary of State of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Gregory Rapota told RIA Novosti that Russia's accession into the WTO may help Belarus and Kazakhstan enter this organization. Russia will finally join the WTO this summer.