BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) - Russia and the European Union are 90 percent of the way to a deal on Moscow's World Trade Organisation (WTO) entry, although the last 10 percent involves tough issues, Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said on Wednesday.
The two sides have said they want to strike a deal in time for a summit in Moscow on May 21, but key issues which remain are a timeframe for Russia to raise gas prices and over import duties on various goods, he told reporters.
To enter the WTO, Russia must strike bilateral trade deals with its main partners, the EU being the biggest, followed by the United States, Japan and China. It must also make sure its legislation is in line with WTO rules.
Lamy would not be drawn on when Russia would enter the WTO, but said a deal with the EU would be a major step. He noted that China entered the WTO in 2001, two years after its bilateral deal with main commerce partner the United States.
"There is 10 to 15 percent of the road to go," Lamy said of the trade deal. "Will we get there or not? I hope so."
In negotiating on gas, Lamy said the EU wanted to avoid what he called energy dumping, by which Russian industrial users get access to gas at prices a fifth of export levels.
European industry says this means their Russian rivals get a huge trade subsidy and want Moscow to commit to a gradual rise in prices to at least cost of product plus some profit margin.
Lamy said the talks with Russia were progressing well in other areas, notably access for European goods such as spirits, cheese, cars and aircraft.