Some 20% of the provisions of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between Moldova and the European Union have been implemented until now, said Inga Ionesii, head of the Economy Ministry’s General Economic Cooperation Division. According to the official, the implementation period of the DCFTA coincided with a more difficult regional situation and the process was thus affected, IPN reports.
“The implementation of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA coincided with a difficult period. The relations between the EU and Russia, the crisis in Ukraine, last summer’s drought and other events affected the implementation process,” stated Inga Ionesii. She noted that the formation of a functional government in over 200 days hampered the implementation of a number of projects.
Even if only 20% of the provisions of the DCFTA were carried out, progress was made in the energy sector during 2015. Moldova is also among the first EaP states that successfully transposed the European standards. The authorities adopted a new law on public procurement and amendments to the legislation on competition and improved customs administration.
Moldova’s exports to the EU last year fell by 0.3%, but the exports of particular groups of goods increased. “There were fears that Moldova’s market will be invaded by European products, but these fears didn’t come true. Imports decreased by over 23%,” stated Inga Ionesii.
As to the export quotas stipulated in the Association Agreement, the official said that the quota on apples was 2% used, that on grapes was 94% used, while that on plumes was over 60% used. “The quotas on grains were exceeded, but there is a mechanism allowing exporting more than agreed if we show production capacities,” said the Division’s head.
Inga Ionesii also said that the legislation in 27 areas is yet to be harmonized and the right to export products of animal origin to the EU is to be obtained. An EU audit mission visited Moldova and assessed the situation in the animal-breeding sector. After it presents a report, the authorities will take the necessary steps. This year the authorities also aim to negotiate agreements on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments with Japan and other countries and free trade agreements with Egypt and other states.
