Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) – In what could allow Moscow to make its dream come true of joining the World Trade Organization, Georgia and Russia have put aside differences and signed a trade monitoring agreement.

Under the deal, Russia will allow international monitoring of trade along Abkhazia and South Ossetia – the two Georgian separatist states, which were recognized as independent states by Russia following a brief war with Georgia in 2008.

Describing the deal as a diplomatic victory, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said, “What we have achieved today is a very important acknowledgement of what Georgia’s customs borders are.”

Since 2001, when China joined the WTO, no other major economy has joined the trade bloc. Commenting on the development, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed optimism for his country’s entry into the bloc by the end of this year.

Russia has sought admittance to the WTO for 18 years.

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