Ukrainian parliament ratifies protocol to join WTO

KIEV, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament overwhelmingly ratified the protocol on Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday after a brief debate.

The protocol was backed by 411 lawmakers in the 450-seat assembly. Parliament must still approve about 10 pieces of legislation to meet WTO requirements, but officials say this will have little effect on the membership process.

The protocol on Ukraine's accession to the WTO was submitted to parliament by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who signed the document on February 5, 2008, in Geneva after more than 14 years of negotiations.

Yuschenko immediately welcomed the ratification by the country's supreme legislature of the protocol on Ukraine's WTO membership and praised the unanimity of lawmakers.

"Today, the Ukrainian parliament has ratified the protocol allowing us to officially join the WTO," Yuschenko said Thursday in Cairo during his two-day visit to Egypt, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Membership of the WTO takes effect 30 days after ratification. Ukraine will then become the WTO's 152nd member.