"It is a historical moment for Kazakhstan. It is 20 years since we first started the accession talks," he said.
  Nazarbayev, who attended the accession ceremony in Geneva, met the WTO's Director-General Roberto Azevedo to exchange opinions on the international organisation's procedures and on the upcoming ratification of several documents. Mr Nazarbayev also underscored the importance of his country's acceptance in view of the development strategy up to 2050 approved by his government. Kazakhstan's membership in the WTO was welcomed by EU Commissioner for International Trade, Cecilia Malmstroem.
  "Kazakhstan has worked hard to prepare for WTO membership and to make the changes needed in its domestic legal and regulatory system," she said. Now Astana will have to lower its customs duties on imports, remove all obstacles in the TLC sectors and authorise foreign companies to distribute pharmaceutical products. The country's accession to the WTO will also have to be approved by its parliament. (AGI)