Russian FM: U.S. President promised to get Jackson-Vanik amendment canceled

“President Obama believes that this problem (Jackson-Vanik amendment) is a problem of America. President Obama is aware of all awkwardness, to put it mildly, of America in this matter and assured that the cancellation of this amendment will be one of the priorities of his administration,” Lavrov said.

Jackson-Vanik amendment was adopted by Congress in 1974 to limit U.S. relations with the USSR in the economic field until Moscow severely limited the exit of Soviet Jews. However, after the collapse of the Union, the amendment was extended to Russia and other CIS countries.

Although moratorium has been imposed on it, the Jackson-Vanik amendment was repealed only with respect to Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Armenia. But it is obstacle for the rest CIS countries including  Azerbaijan to enter the World Trade Organization ( WTO).

/Trend News/