“Chisinau insists on resuming negotiations in the 5+2 format as soon as possible”, Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman told Radio Free Europe during an interview. She says that now Moldova has a stable government, supported by a parliamentary majority, and a Prime Minister who is open for dialogue and cooperation with Transnistria, IPN reports.

“All governmental institutions have learned what they have to do in order to facilitate the negotiation process and the reintegration of Moldova. Most importantly, we have the support of our partners in the 5+2 format – OSCE, the USA, the EU – who are ready to help this process”, said the Minister.

Given that Tiraspol hesitates in answering whether it is ready to implement the provisions of the EU Association Agreement, which comes into effect on January 1, 2016, for Transnistria, the official says that Moldovan authorities are continuously trying to convince Tiraspol about the benefits of this process. Some of them are already felt in the country through the considerable growth of exports to the EU.

The Minister noted that these efforts are coordinated with EU partners. Additionally, they are trying to promote assistance programs and projects to help the Transnistrian economy and agriculture prepare for the gradual implementation of the DCFTA. “I think these efforts will be successful and I can indicate the mobility of citizens as an example in this regard”, she said.

Natalia Gherman explained that if the implementation of the DCFTA provisions is refused, Transnistrian companies will have to start paying customs duties when trading with the EU from January 1, 2016.