Russian Energy Policy and the WTO

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Russia, grade: A, , language: English, abstract: The accession of Russia to the WTO has a fairly minor impact on its oil and gas sector. However, it does offer interesting new possibilities. First, it has urged the WTO to review and re-negotiate its regulatory framework concerning trade in energy. Many critics even expect the WTO to conclude a new, separate treaty in the field of energy. Russia as an important exporter could defend her interests and exercise considerable influence in these negotiations. Second, Russia could make good use of the highly efficient Dispute Settlement Mechanism of the WTO. In fact, Russia has already filed or threatened to file complaints against unfair European energy rules or anti-dumping sanctions.