APEC backs Russian membership of WTO

Member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, have supported Russia's entry to the World Trade Organisation, according to Russia's envoy at the group's 8-day forum in Sydney.

He said Russia hopes to enter the WTO soon and thanked APEC members for their support. He also said this week's summit may decide to hold APEC's 2012 forum in Vladivostok in eastern Russia.

APEC nations, including China, the U.S. and Japan, account for around 60% of the global economy.