Georgian and Russian negotiators have failed to make a breakthrough in talks over Russia’s possible accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Kovziridze and chief Russian negotiator, Maksim Medvedkov, from the Economy Development Ministry, met on May 31 in Tbilisi. 

Georgia, in exchange for its approval of Russia's WTO bid, is demanding that Russia legalize trade at the two border crossing points between Russia and the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia, as an existing member, could veto Russia's accession.

Medvedko told reporters after the talks that WTO accession talks and issues relating to the border crossing points in Abkhazia and South Ossetia “are two different things.”

Medvedko had said before the May 31 talks that Moscow would only deal with the border issues after it had become a WTO member.

Both sides agreed to resume talks in four to six weeks time.