European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström welcomed the augmentation of Moldova’s exports to the European Union, encouraging the authorities to continue reforms so that Moldova fully benefits from the opportunities of the Free Trade Area. The call was made in a meeting with Prime Minister Pavel Filip on the sidelines of the third meeting of the EU-Moldova Association Council that is held in Brussels today, March 31, IPN reports.

In the meeting, Pavel Filip thanked for the continuous assistance offered in implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the related implementation and monitoring mechanisms, underlining the importance of intensifying trade between Moldova and the EU.

”We further count on the European partners’ support in stimulating the use of the opportunities offered by the Free Trade Area. We managed to extend these benefits to business entities from all over the country, including the Transnistrian region. Besides strictly commercial advantages, the impact of the Free Trade Area on the daily life of the people is also important,” stated the Premier.

At the end of the meeting, Pavel Filip invited Cecilia Malmström to take part in the Business Week that will take place in Chisinau.

The European Union is Moldova’s main trading partner, with a share of about 65% on export and of over 50% on import. Last year the number of companies involved in trade with the EU increased, while the exports of goods to the EU rose by over 9%.