US President Mr Barack Obama congratulated his Russian counterpart Mr Dmitry Medvedev on his country's entry into the World Trade Organisation.

White House Press Secretary Mr Jay Carney said in a statement “The Presidents hailed this achievement as yet another result of the reset in bilateral relations, which will benefit both the United States and Russia.”

In Geneva, the WTO yesterday gave its second and final approval for Russia's membership in the trade body after a record 18-year quest to join.

Mr Carney said the two presidents, among other things, discussed over a phone call the recent elections and subsequent demonstrations in Russia.

He said Russia's membership in the WTO will lower tariffs, improve access to Russia's services markets, hold the Russian government accountable to a system of rules governing trade behaviour and provide the means to enforce those rules.

He said "Russia's membership in the WTO will generate more export opportunities for American manufacturers and farmers, which in turn will support well paying jobs in the United States.”

(Sourced from ET)