CZECH REPUBLIC SEES TIME AS NOT RIPE FOR RUSSIAN

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000548

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/RUS AND EB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL RS EZ OECD
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC SEES TIME AS NOT RIPE FOR RUSSIAN
OECD MEMBERSHIP

REF: STATE 66309

On April 15 we discussed the Czech Republic's position on
membership in OECD for Russia with Vladimir Dolejsi, an
officer in the Department of Multilateral Relations in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dolejsi confirmed that the
Czech Republic remains convinced that the time for Russia's
membership in the OECD is "not right". The Czechs support
expanded economic cooperation with Russia, Brazil, India and
China, and have been active in discussions on reform of trade
regulations in those countries within the OECD, Dolejsi
said. He added that Prime Minister Stanislav Gross responded
in March of this year to a letter from Russian Prime Minister
Fradkov seeking Czech support for OECD membership, telling
Fradkov that while the Czech Republic recognizes Russia's
membership as an ultimate goal, the Czech Republic is not
prepared at this time to support its immediate entry into the
organization as a full member.
HILLAS