Armenia's membership to WTO was formally approved at today's session of the World Trade Organization. An Armenian government delegation, led by prime minister Andranik Margarian arrived in Geneva to attend the WTO session. After a ten-year long negotiations and after bringing its trade legislation in compliance with WTO requirements Armenia applied for WTO membership in 1992. Last November 21 session of the WTO approved the package of documents submitted by Armenia to seek WTO membership. Now it is up to the Armenian parliament to pass a set of 19 WTO agreements to finalize Armenia's accession to the organization. Armenia's membership to WTO is expected to foster development of export-oriented branches of economy and Armenia's gradual integration to the world economy. New members of the WTO, especially the countries in transition, Armenia among them, will enjoy some privileges while entering the world markets. Membership to WTO is also expected to lead to rise in the volumes of direct foreign investments into Armenian economy. (CNA)