Georgia threatens to block Russian WTO bid - UPI.com (original) (raw)

TBILISI, Georgia, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Georgia is threatening to block Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization unless Moscow lifts its sanctions against Tbilisi.

But a Russian economics minister says Georgia won't gain a thing by trying to thwart Russia's entry to the WTO, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

No country has a "right of veto in multilateral WTO talks," Russia's Economic Development and Trade Minister, German Gref, was quoted as saying.

Tensions between Russia and Georgia have escalated alleged spying by Russian military stationed in Georgia, RIA Novosti said. In response to the allegations, Russia officials severed transportation and mail links with Georgia and have demanded economic sanctions.

Russia has completed entry talks with 55 of the 58 WTO member countries but still must negotiate with Georgia, the United States and Moldovia.