Georgia will not allow Russia to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the expense of its own interests, Vice Parliamentary Speaker Georgi Tsereteli said on Wednesday.
Russia is the only major economy still outside WTO. The European Union gave its backing to the country's entry bid in December after Russia agreed to trim timber export duties and rail freight tariffs.
"Never will any decision or agreement be made at the expense of Georgia's sovereignty and its principles," Tsereteli told a parliamentary session.
Georgia wants to keep control of customs points in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent after a war with Georgia in 2008.
Talks between Georgia and Russia on Russia's WTO accession will be held in Switzerland's Bern later on Wednesday.
Russia's WTO bid will also top the agenda for meetings between Russia's leadership and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden this week.
TBILISI, March 9 (RIA Novosti)
