Moscow, OECD Sign Cooperation Pact

PARIS -- Russia signed a cooperation pact with the OECD on Wednesday, marking what officials at the rich world's economic forum called the formal end of the Cold War. The agreement gives Russia access to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's technical expertise and opens the door to Russia taking part in OECD discussions. It is also a significant step forward in Moscow's drive to win a full seat at the great powers' economic negotiating table. Russia has inherited the military and political clout of the Soviet Union but President Boris Yeltsin has also been keen for a leading role in the world economy, notably through the Group of Seven leading industrial nations. Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev called the deal "a real step forward in the integration of Russia in the world economy."After signing the accord with OECD Secretary General Jean-Claude Paye and Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, who chaired this year's OECD ministerial meeting, Kozyrev added it would advance Russian involvement in the G-7, the GATT world trade body and regional groupings. Kozyrev's visit was his first to an OECD ministerial meeting. U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher led the American delegation. In a speech to the final session of a two-day meeting, Christopher said the agreement with Russia would "extend the OECD's unique expertise to the great task of building a market economy."Kozyrev highlighted the legal system, rules on foreign investment, banking and privatization of state industries as key areas where Moscow would be looking to the OECD for advice. The OECD for its part will make a detailed survey of the Russian economy. (Reuters, AP)