Russia's admission to the World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation will help to improve democracy in the country, the U.S. Department of State said.
"The United States supports Russia's integration in multilateral organizations, such as the WTO and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which will promote rule of law, enhanced corporate good governance and transparency, and the push for greater adherence to international norms of democratic governance," the department said in its report 'Advancing Freedom and Democracy.'
Russia has been in negotiations for WTO membership for over 16 years and is the only major economy outside of the global trade body.
U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed last month the United States' support of Russia's bid to join the global trade body.
"I reaffirm our strong commitment to Russia's ascension to the World Trade Organization," Obama said during a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Washington.
President Medvedev has admitted Russia still has problems with the protection of intellectual property rights, a major impediment to WTO accession, but says tackling this issue is a priority for the Russian government.
WASHINGTON, July 2 (RIA Novosti)
