G20 eyes Russia's WTO entry this year

Group of 20 nations support Russia's bid to complete negotiations this year to join the World Trade Organisation, the conclusions of a G20 farm ministers meeting said on Thursday.

After years of talks, Russia aims to become a member of the global trade watchdog in December, but Russian Economy Minister Elvira Nabiullina warned recently that entry could be delayed for years if key issues were not settled by the end of next month.

G-20 ag ministers will stand behind biofuels despite report

G-20 Agriculture ministers announced June 23 at a G-20 meeting in Paris that the group would remain supportive of biofuels policies. Just days before the meeting ethanol supporters had urged the group not to turn on biofuels, despite a report that had recommended G-20 countries remove support for biofuels subsidies or mandates.

Japan Noda: Can't attend G20 seminar in China

Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Friday he cannot attend a G20 seminar on reshaping the global monetary system being held in China this month.

His comment comes as Tokyo is struggling to pass bills to implement a $1 trillion budget for the year from April in a hung parliament.