By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters), – Monday’s meeting of the World Trade Organization saw agreement to create a panel that will examine a Russian trade dispute brought against Russia by the European Union. The European Union has taken measures to prevent EU firms selling Russian goods, a WTO official stated.

According to the European Commission (which oversees trade between 27 EU members), Russia has increased restrictions in order to replace foreign products and services within procurement contracts since 2015.

This was achieved by a combination of price preferences and minimum quotas on domestic products, according to the Commission.

Russia expressed its confidence in its compliance with WTO obligations.

Brussels requested a panel for the WTO dispute settlement organization last month. Russia, however, used its veto to block it. WTO member countries can only stop a request for a panel once.

It usually takes between 45 and 9 months to appoint the panel. After that, the report is due in 6-9 months. Recent rulings, however, have often been delayed past this time.

Both parties can appeal the conclusions, but the WTO’s highest appeals body, which is currently paralysed by the WTO, would be unable to do so.