Paet criticizes Russian trade barriers

TALLINN - Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet has called on Russia to abide by all of its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Estonian Public Broadcasting reports.

Paet said at a discussion of EU-Russia trade relations in Brussels Thursday that Estonia was most directly affected by the ban on import of livestock to Russia.

"It catches the eye that above all, Russia is trying to restrict import of the goods on which it was supposed to have lowered import tariffs significantly upon joining the WTO," he said in a press statement.

Russia's recovery tax, established on imported used cars, and higher tariffs on some paper products also violated the promises given, said Paet.

Estonia is calling for WTO compliance to be discussed at the EU-Russia summit next month. "A common understanding of the WTO's requirements and compliance is important to both parties and the problems in EU and Russia's trade relations need to be resolved," said Paet.