 
. /. RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/25/Add.1/Corr.11 
10 June 2002 
 (02-3198) 
Working Party on the Accession 
of the Russian Federation  
 
 
 
DRAFT REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE 
ACCESSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  
TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
 
Corrigendum  
 
  Delete 55, 70, 164, 262 and 281 of do cument WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/25/Add.1 and replace 
with:  
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 55. 72  The paragraph 72 states that the federal s ubjects of the Russian Federation have the 
right to negotiate and conclude  Agreements with their partne rs on international and foreign 
economic ties.  Besides the phrase "such agreements  could not contradict federal legislation" 
the second sentence of paragraph 72, we would insist on insertion of the phrase which would 
explicitly state that:  "such Agreements that should fully respect the national legislation of 
partners' countries should not harm  the economic interests of these countries".  We would also 
wish to insert in the last sentence of paragr aph 72 the phrase, which would specify that the 
subjects of the Russian Federation do not represent the subjects of international law. 
 
We feels that the main provisions of the Fede ral Law to which the reference is made in 
paragraph 72 are being constantly violated by the subjects of the Russian Federation.  In this respect we would like to note that there is  a huge difference between existing reality and 
conditions stated in the paragraph 72.  That is why we need explanations from the Russian 
Federation how it intends to ensure full observance of this law by its subjects.  We also seek 
commitment from the Russian Federation that its federal or sub-federal entities will act 
strictly in conformity with the above-mentione d law fully respecting national legislation and 
interests of partners' countries. 
 70. 89 During Russia's accession talks, this delegation on several occasions expressed its 
concern over the restrictive results of the current  system of licensing in Russia for the sale of 
alcoholic beverages.  We feel that there is a significant difference between the rates of the 
fees charged by the Russian Federation for th e right to import, storage and wholesale of 
alcoholic beverages and those charged for domes tic distribution or export, which represents 
the violation of paragraph 1 of Article III of th e GATT.  In this respect we urge the Russian 
Federation to make the appropriate adjustments in  its legislation in order to comply with the 
WTO relevant provisions and to insert the rele vant commitment language in the draft Report. 
 
                                                     
 
1 In English only WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/25/Add.1/Corr.1 
Page 2  
 
 164. 173, 174  At the beginning of our meeting, we  expressed our appreciation to the 
Secretariat for accurate drafting of the Report.  I would like to reiterate the importance of 
problems described in paragraphs 173 and 174 regarding the customs regulation and 
simplification of border control measures and necessity of bringing all these inconsistencies 
under the WTO legal umbrella. 
 
In our opinion, the problems listed in pa ragraph 174 of the draft Report still remain 
unresolved and open.  Therefore, we seek the commitment from the Russian Federation to 
prevent the illegal flow of smuggled goods from its territory.  We also urge the Russian Federation side to remove all customs forma lities, which represent hidden barriers to trade 
and major trade distorting measures, prior to its accession to the WTO. 
 262. 268, 269  We once again would like to raise a question concerning the transit of goods 
including those of dual usage.  Regrettably,  despite our requests with respect to getting 
clarifications and detailed description of tran sit procedures and goods of dual usage, we did 
not receive the clear response on that issue as it is mentioned in paragraph 268. 
 
Furthermore, we would welcome undertaking cl ear commitment by the Russian Federation 
with respect to the transit of goods, as it is provi ded for in paragraph 269 of the draft Report. 
 281. 284, 285  We welcome the working out by Russian Government of amendments to the 
Federal Law of 1992 "On Trademarks, Services Ma rks and Appellations of Origin" which, in 
our opinion, gives an additional protection to geographical indications for wines and spirits. 
- According to information available to us, th e Russian side has intensified the work for 
developing the common register of geographical indications within the CIS, which is in full line with decisions of the WTO Doha Ministerial Conference.  We certainly 
welcome these positive steps while wondering if the Russian delegation could provide 
us with some detailed information about passing of the CIS Agreement on Creation of 
Common Register of Geographical Indications in the State Duma. 
Besides, we would appreciate if this point will be duly reflected in the draft Report. 
 
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