The protocols have been signed

Russia has signed protocols on Russia's joining the World Trade Organization with Hungary, Czechia, Latvia and Lithuania, Konstantin Bogdanov of the press service of Russia's Economic Development and Trade Ministry said on Friday. "In Brussels today the heads of the foreign trade delegations have signed tariff protocols with Hungary, Czechia, Latvia and Lithuania. The protocol on terms of access to the services market has also been signed with Hungary," Bogdanov said. On the Russian side, the protocols have been signed by chief delegate at the talks Maxim Medvedkov. The other day, Medvedkov told journalists that talks with these countries were over and the relative protocols would be signed very soon. "It is important to complete the process before May 1 because, when these countries join the EU, they will lose competence for holding bilateral talks," Medvedkov explained.