The Republic of Moldova will have a new strategic partnership agreement with the Russian Federation, President Igor Dodon announced in an enlarged-format meeting with journalists in the evening of March 28. The subject was also discussed in his March 17 meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, IPN reports.

Igor Dodon said experts were delegated to work out the new strategic partnership agreement within the friendship agreement signed with Russia in 2001.

“During the last 16 years, we haven’t signed agreements with Russia. A strategic agreement that we consider important will be signed in the immediate future. A forum will be held in Chisinau on April 3 and we will discuss important subjects related to the Eurasian Union there. On April 3, regardless of the Prime Minister’s position, we will sign a framework cooperation agreement with the Eurasian Union. I think we must have good relations both with the East and with the West,” stated Igor Dodon.

The President noted that during his visit to Brussels on February 7, he discussed the signing of the agreement with the Eurasian Union with EU officials and these said they see no problem in this regard. The association with the EU does not prevent Moldova from signing cooperation agreements with other organizations or institutions. 

Igor Dodon also said that missions of Russian businessmen will visit Moldova in several months to consider possibilities of investing here. As to the export to Russia, the President stated that after Russia opened its market to about 150 Moldovan fruit producers, apple exports rose five times.