Moldova and the Russian Federation have signed Wednesday, December 27, in Moscow the protocol backing Russia’s membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Info-Prim Neo reports, citing the Russian press. The agreement was signed by Moldovan Minister of Economy and Commerce Igor Dodon and Russian Minister of Economic Development, Gherman Gref. Russia’s negotiations with Moldova concerning the WTO membership have lasted almost six years. Maxim Medvedkov, head of the Russian delegation to the WTO and director of the department of trade talks at the Economic Ministry, was quoted by the Russian press saying that the toughest talks were carried on during the last year. As the Russian official states, one year ago, Moldova has toughen its requirements and tried to initiate with Russia negotiations on tariffs, despite the free trade regime between the two countries. Minister of Economy and Trade, Igor Dodon, stated on Tuesday, December 26 that he personally informed the Russian side about the fact that Moldova has fulfilled all the internal procedures and he was given permission to sign the protocol approving Russia’s membership in WTO and, at the same time, the Agreement regarding the principles to levy indirect taxes in bilateral trade. According to a press release from MEC, the agreement regarding the principles to levy indirect taxes in bilateral trade provides for the perception of VAT when delivering gas, following the principle of the destination country and not of the source one, as it was performed until now in connection with Moldova. “The Russia’s membership in WTO would be a positive fact”, said Dodon, but mentioned that “if the acceptance of Russian Federation’s accession to WTO is signed, Moldova would like to sign the agreement on perception of indirect taxes”. The Russian Federation has been negotiating the accession to WTO since 1994. At present, Moscow is to sign bilateral agreements regarding the accession to this organisation with Guatemala, Georgia, Costa Rica and Salvador.