欧盟支持俄罗斯入世

The European Union (EU) has thrown its weight behind Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

欧盟全力支持俄罗斯加入世贸组织的请求。

Russia is set to end a 17-year wait to join the free trade club
The EU gave its formal support after Russia agreed to cut timber（木材） export tariffs（关税） and rail freight（货运，运费） fees.

Russia is the only major economy that is still not a member of the global free trade club.

"After the signing of the agreements... Russia's accession to the WTO becomes a reality," said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The agreement was signed by EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, meeting at a bilateral（双边的） European-Russian trade summit.

Brussels' decision to lift its veto（否决权） on Moscow's membership is expected to open the way for Russia to join next year.

It ends a 17-year wait for Russia, who first applied to join the organisation's predecessor（前任，前辈） - the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Gatt) - under President Boris Yeltsin.