Russia may join the World Trade Organization within the next few months or within a year if negotiations in Geneva are successful. At a Tuesday news conference in the British Embassy in Moscow, Deputy Economic Development Minister Maxim Medvedkov said that \"if negotiations in Geneva within the next two months manage to overcome a trend towards technical confrontation, Russia will have a good chance of joining the WTO within the next few months or a year.\" As an example of technical confrontation, Medvedev referred to repeatedly asked questions \"about the structure of the Russian judicial system.\" The deputy minister stressed that Russia is pursuing a much more liberal approach at WTO talks, as compared to the protective barriers that existed five or six years ago. \"If they [the WTO] want more from us, then negotiations may continue for five or ten years,\" he added. (Interfax)