Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov will go to Moscow to negotiate bilateral economic mechanisms that would enable to avoid bans on the imports of Moldovan products to Russia. The announcement was made by Vasile Bumacov and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar in a public debate staged by IPN.

Vasile Bumacov said the consignments of wine and brandy that were classed as inappropriate in Russia were examined in Chisinau, but the most serious problem is that there is no normative document between the two countries that would stipulate the highest concentrations of different chemical substances allowed in alcoholic beverages. The minister stated later for IPN that he sent an official letter to Moscow where he suggested opening consultations to discuss the given problems and asked that the Russian partners arrange a meeting.

Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said that under the regulations of the World Trade Organization, no list of companies authorized to export products is required, but the exporting country commits itself to ensure their quality. However, Russia compiles lists and verifies the Moldovan wines frontally.

Valeriu Lazar referred to the statements of Russia’s chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko, saying they are contradictory. “He said that he does not want to be a babysitter for our economy, but examines frontally all the consignments of wine. The Moldovan producers said there is no use being examined in Moldova as they are again verified in Russia for money. These costs are ultimately paid by the consumers, but this fact is not taken into account,” said the minister.

He added there are more such discrepancies. That’s why they will offer the Russian partners to concertedly work out and to gradually implement mechanisms that would avoid the appearance of tense situations like those that mark the bilateral economic relations at present.