MOSCOW Feb 13. INTERFAX - Russia and the United States have managed to bring their positions on access to financial markets closer as they continue bilateral negotiations on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday.

The matter was discussed with Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin on February 10, Snow said, adding that the two countries have come close to reaching an agreement on the issue.

Snow assured Putin that the United States wants a protocol completing bilateral talks on Russia's accession to the WTO to be signed as soon as possible.

A number of problems, including liability issues and access to financial markets, have yet to be resolved, he said.

"I very much hope that our negotiators will manage to complete the negotiating process intended to bring the Russian Federation into the WTO. I mean, it would create better prerequisites for the development of trade and business ties between our countries, including in the investment sphere," Putin said.