Russia to Push For Making Ruble a Regional Reserve Currency - Shuvalov
WASHINGTON. Sept 21 (Interfax) - Moscow believes the U.S. dollar is currently a very important reserve currency, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov told journalists.
At the same time, however, "our experts are working in the G20 format towards creating other reserve currencies," Shuvalov said in Washington on Monday after meeting with representatives of U.S. business and political circles at the Russian embassy.
"The global financial system will feel more confident if other reserve currencies besides the dollar appear," he said.
Shuvalov expressed hope that "the crisis will not hinder Russia's plans to make the ruble a reserve regional currency."
He also said joining the World Trade Organization is a strategic goal for Russia. "Our partners in the Customs Union, Kazakhstan and Belarus, also adhere to this position," he said.
"WTO accession will take place with the Customs Union's coordination and negotiations will be handled by a single team led by (Maxim) Medvedkov," director of the Economic Development Ministry's trade negotiations department and head of the Russian delegation at WTO talks, Shuvalov said.
"We are proceeding from the idea that there are only a few issues left (on WTO accession) that need to be resolved with the U.S. administration. We have prepared for talks in Washington on certain parameters and are proposing compromises," he said.
