EU backs Russia’s WTO application

The EU has agreed to back Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization following marathon talks in which the Russians pledged to increase natural-gas prices for domestic companies.

EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and Russian Economy Minister German Gref signed a treaty marking the end of talks.

President Vladimir Putin and EU officials including European Commission President Romano Prodi and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were present for the signing in the Kremlin.