Ahern and Putin to discuss Russia's WTO membership

TALKS were continuing late last night to finalise a deal on Russia's World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership ahead of today's EU Russia summit.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, representing the EU with Commission President Romano Prodi, arrived in Moscow last night and will hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin today.

The EU is by far Russia's largest trading partner and reaching agreement on trade issues is vital for the country's 10-year attempt to join the WTO.