The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and the EU includes periods of transition for carrying it out. “Nobody will start to fully implement its provisions the next day after its signing because periods of transition are envisioned in certain areas,” Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman said in the program “Politics” on TV7 channel, IPN reports.

The minister said that transition periods will be provided for some of the areas where investments are needed in quality, certification of the origin and competitiveness of products. The periods are of 7 to 10 years. “Several agriculture and agroindustrial areas will be protected in the initial period, including the production of pork, poultry and cattle breeding,” said the minister.

Natalia Gherman also said that Moldova accounts for a small portion of the internal trade of the EU. “Evidently, we do not hold economic interest for the internal market of the EU. At this stage, the Union wants Moldova to become a much more stable neighbor and partner from economic and commercial viewpoints,” said the official. It wants a free trade area where all the economic entities will follow the same rules, regulations and directives, with similar business climate and laws, including on transparency and competition.

According to the minister, the initial position of the EU was not to accept periods of transition, but the Moldovan side managed to include them so as to enhance the competitiveness of particular sectors. In the period of transition, investments will be made in the given sectors in order to modernize them. When this period expires, Moldova will be able to export products much more effectively.

Moldova initialed the Association Agreement with the EU, which includes the Free Trade Agreement, last November. It is projected that the documents will be signed by June.