"If we intend to live in the globalization conditions we cannot do without the assistance of key international structures," Lavrov said. "We won't become an equal figure in the world economy and raise our competitive ability without the WTO."
He acknowledged that certain disadvantages were inevitable during WTO accession.
"The talks are under way and more than 80% of our partners have already signed relevant protocols," Lavrov said. "Few partners are left, but it does not make the negotiations less complicated."
He said the conditions for the accession would be related to agricultural subsidies.
"We will not be fully open," he said. "We will retain the right of supporting [Russian] agriculture at a level incomparable to that of the EU member states."
