WTO Approves Armenia Accession

Compiled ByJill Jusko The World Trade Organization's General Council approved the accession package of Armenia to the Geneva-based organization Dec. 10, leaving just one more membership hurdle for this country located in southwestern Asia, east of Turkey. The Protocol of Accession must now be ratified by Armenia's government. Thirty days after the WTO receives official notification of the ratification, Armenia will become a member of the WTO. It has been negotiating for inclusion since 1993. Among former Soviet Union republics, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, Moldova and the Kyrgyz Republic are also members of the WTO. The international trade organization says there are now 25 countries negotiating for accession to the WTO.