Russia is considering the possibility of opening its inland waterways for foreign ships as it negotiates World Trade Organization entry with the European Union, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin said Friday, RIA Novosti reported.
"We need to prepare customs and frontier procedures to open inland waterways for foreign flag vessels. We are working them out now," Levitin said.
The government is discussing opening the Volga-Don canal for foreign ships, which is now being upgraded to increase its throughput to make way for 10,000dwt ships.
Russia has been in membership talks with the WTO since 1993 and remains the only major economy still outside the organization. The WTO said Russia could join it in 2011.
"We need to prepare customs and frontier procedures to open inland waterways for foreign flag vessels. We are working them out now," Levitin said.
The government is discussing opening the Volga-Don canal for foreign ships, which is now being upgraded to increase its throughput to make way for 10,000dwt ships.
Russia has been in membership talks with the WTO since 1993 and remains the only major economy still outside the organization. The WTO said Russia could join it in 2011.