Kazakhstan agrees key WTO issue with USA

WASHINGTON, May 27 (Itar-Tass) -- Kazakhstan and the United States
have reached an agreement in principle about the access of U.S. suppliers
of services to the Kazakh market, a key condition for Kazakhstan's
accession to the World Trade Organization.
"We reached an agreement in principle regarding access to the services
market," Kazakh Minister for Economic Integration Zhanar Aitzhanova said
on Thursday.
She specified the talk was about 12 key sectors of Kazakh economy,
including finances, telecommunications, transport, and energy.
"The negotiations were very important for us and their completion is a
great achievement," the minister said. She added the parties hope to sign
the final agreement in the near future.
The minister said the talks discussed the terms for U.S exports to the
Kazakh market, including sanitary and phytosanitary norms and copyright
protection.
"The main conclusion for both parties is that the process is ongoing
productively and we are focusing on systemic issues," Aitzhatova said
adding her country may join the WTO next year.