Ukraine has become the 152nd member of the World Trade Organisation.

The WTO welcomed Ukraine on Friday with a large billboard in front of its office.

The official signing by Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko and WTO director general Pascal Lamy was held early February in in Geneva.

The Ukrainian economics head, Volodymyr Baluta has reassured the WTO that Ukraine will participate in the Doha round trade negotiations and help with the process of accession of other countries,

Ukraine, a former Soviet state, will now be able to have a say on whether Russia will be admitted to the organisation.