Parliament today voted to ratify the Agreement on the Free Trade Area within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CSI) signed on 18 October 2011 in Saint Petersburg. The Agreement provides for the liberalization of trade among 8 member states, Info-Prim Neo reports. Deputy Economy Minister Octavian Calmic stated that the agreement generally provides for the removal of import and export duties, with some exceptions. For Moldova, exceptions include imports of sugar from Ukraine, and Russia, for example, preserves duties on exports of timber and wood derivatives as well as on gas exports. The ratification was also endorsed by the Communist group. MP Oleg Reidman stated that by ratifying this agreement Moldova is taking a step towards joining the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union. According to the lawmakers, the CIS Free Agreement Agreement does not contradict other commitments assumed by Moldova under WTO and EU arrangements.