Belarus has already started the final stage of negotiations on trade in services. By the way, they form two thirds of the value added of the world economy. Today the parties discussed the aspects of mutual access to the services markets with the participation of representatives of the World Trade Organization. They noted that they share the optimism of the Belarusian authorities: the middle of 2020 for our country is a real deadline for the completion of all procedures for joining the World Trade Organization.
Juan Marchetti, Counsellor, Trade in Services Division, WTO:
“I can note a serious progress of Belarus in terms of accession to the WTO. This is also noticeable in terms of strategic decisions, the regulatory framework, as well as the application of standards in practice. The country is already at the final stage of negotiations and the middle of 2020 is definitely a possible deadline. There is still a little more than a year to complete all the necessary negotiations."
Our country has already signed two dozen bilateral protocols with WTO member states. The Belarusian government hopes to begin negotiations with the United States in the near future. And the next meeting of the working group in Geneva is expected to be held in February.
