On joining the WTO in August 2012, Russia pledged to initiate negotiations on its accession to the Agreement within four years. Russia becomes the 27th observer in the Committee under this plurilateral agreement which covers 42 WTO members (including the European Union and its 27 members).

Members of the Committee welcomed Russia and offered support and cooperation to facilitate its eventual accession to the Agreement.

Russia thanked the WTO Secretariat for technical assistance provided in the process leading up to the granting of observer status and said that it has enacted a new law on government procurement that will come into effect on 1 January 2014.