In 2006 Moldova and Ukraine introduced a new customs regime along the shared border not in order to create “blockades” or “unilateral imposition of Moldovan laws” upon the Transnistrian region, but in order to align exports and imports standards with international requirements. This is how the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) commented on the statements made by Russian MFA Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich regarding the external economic activity of companies located in Moldova's Transnistrian region. The MFAEI said in a press statement that the customs regime was introduced in order to ease business. The new customs regime meant easier registration procedures, a mechanism for refunding taxes and the opportunity to directly enjoy the benefits of the trade preferences granted to Moldova by the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States. According to the MFAEI, currently over 700 companies based in the region have been registered with the Moldovan authorities and statistics confirm that their relations with external partners have been developing without hindrance on the part of the national authorities. Transnistrian businesses are exempted from making any payments to the National Budget, except for costs related to customs clearance and certificates of origin. The MFAEI notes that the Moldovan authorities are interested to further improve conditions for foreign trade, including with respect to companies based in the Transnistrian region. “We expect the international partners involved to contribute in an impartial and constructive manner to advancing the settlement process. As for references to representatives of the Transnistrian region's administration, we reiterate the necessity to use generally accepted terminology in the negotiations on the conflict settlement”, the statement reads. Alexander Lukashevich stated at a recent press briefing that the Moldova-Ukraine border control agreement took the form of a blockade targeting Transnistrian commodities.