After 18 years of negotiations, Russia has removed what is believed to be the final obstacle to joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) by signing an agreement with Georgia in Geneva.

The Swiss-brokered deal was reached Wednesday and includes independent monitoring of all trade between Russia and Georgia, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The issue had stalled an agreement because of Tbilisi's insistence that Russia provide access to trade information in the two breakaway regions.

The two Russian-backed regions declared independence from Tbilisi in 2008, causing a brief war between Russia and Georgia.

Georgia had been the only obstacle to Russia's membership in the 153-nation trade bloc. Under WTO rules, any one of the members can block a new country by vetoing it. Georgia has been under pressure from the United States and the European Union to allow Russia to join.

The accession of Russia is expected to bring the largest economy still outside the WTO into the group by the end of the year.

A negotiating session for Russia's admittance is set for Thursday, and passage of the agreement is seen as a mere formality. In December ministers from all 153 WTO member nations will meet for what is expected be final approval of Russia's membership.