BEIJING (AP) - China signed an agreement Thursday with Cuba on conditions for joining the World Trade Organization, edging closer to ending its 14-year-old quest for membership in the body that regulates world trade, state media said.

The agreement was signed in Beijing by trade ministers Shi Guangsheng of China and Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz of Cuba, the Xinhua News Agency said.

The communist nations wrapped up negotiations in December on China's bid to enter the WTO. China needs bilateral agreements with WTO members before it can join.

China took big steps forward when it reached agreements with the United States and Canada last November. The 15-nation European Union remains China's largest trading partner still without a deal.

The EU reported progress Wednesday after three more days of talks. The two sides scheduled more negotiations next month in Beijing.

AP-NY-01-27-00 1024EST

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press.

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