The economic relations between Moldova and the Czech Republic will be strengthened based on an agreement on economic and industrial cooperation between the two states. The accord was signed in Chisinau on May 22. Czech investors are invited to start businesses in Moldova, IPN reports.

In a news conference held jointly with Czech President Miloš Zeman, Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti said they want the economic potential of the two countries to be realized. New cooperation prospects will open when the Free Trade Area with the EU is created. “The Czech companies are welcome to Moldova,” said the head of state, underlining that Moldova needs a clear European prospect in order to continue to successfully implement the initiated reforms and to be able to cope with any challenge.

Miloš Zeman said the Czech Republic is the largest importer of Moldovan wine in the EU. The country will provide US$600,000 for creating the Winemaking and Winegrowing Register of Moldova.

The register will contain information about all the vineyards existing in Moldova. The winemaking process will be fully monitored, from planting of vines and quality of soil to the bottling of wine. The U.S. will offer about US$500,000 for designing this register.

Miloš Zeman found out that a village in Moldova is inhabited mainly by Czech ethnics. He called on his Moldovan counterpart to support the development, especially of road infrastructure, in this settlement.

The two heads of state also discussed the situation in Ukraine and voiced hope that all the conflicts there will be settled peacefully, while the presidential elections in this state will be held in calmness.