“Regretfully, we are facing the consequences of Russia’s decision to penalize Moldova for the association and free trade with the EU. It is evidently a political decision that has no economic and commercial reasons,” Head of Parliament Igor Corman said, commenting on the ban on the import of fruit from Moldova imposed by Russia, IPN reports.

The official said that in this situation the Moldovan authorities will use all the instruments they possess, deriving from the Free Trade Agreement with the CIS and Moldova’s and Russia’s membership in the World Trade Organization, to overcome this situation.

“We are making effort to support our producers by ensuring their access to the European market and other markets and by compensating them for their losses. The first step was made by allocation 20 million lei for purchasing apples from national producers,” stated Igor Corman, adding that they are now holding discussions with the EU and the first tranche of the ENPARD Program may go to support the Moldovan farmers.

In the middle of July, Russia banned the import of Moldovan fresh and canned fruit and their transportation, even by hand luggage. Afterward, the Russian authorities announced that they will more closely monitor the quality of Moldova vegetables as well.