EU available to launch internal procedures for offering ATP to Moldova

Within the frameworks of the Subcommittee II: “Trade and Investments”, which took place on October 9-10, the representatives of the EU showed their availability to launch in short-time, the internal procedures for offering Autonomous Trade Preferences to the Republic of Moldova, the head of the Trade Policies Department of MEC, Octavian Calmac declared at a press conference. According to him, one of the most important discussion themes was offering supplementary preferences to the sensible positions of interest to Moldova. First of all, it is about alcoholic beverages, meat, milk and dairy products, sugar and other agro-industrial goods. All of them are included in the list proposed by the Republic of Moldova in order to be included in the ATP. Regarding the list of products for ATP, the EU representatives said that the standpoint of Moldova is clear, including its export interests and economic consequences as a result of the new economic relations with Romania and Bulgaria, after joining the EU. However, it was reiterated that the process of offering ATP for Moldova is not a mechanism of negotiation, because ATP includes a series of trade facilities offered unilaterally by EU, and this is a matter that depend fully on the European services. According to Calamac, the EU appreciates progresses registered by Moldova in implementing the recommendation of EU in the sanitary and veterinary fields. In this context it was reckoned that Moldova has high chances to be included in 2007 in the list of third party countries, which have the right to sell animal products, especially fresh and refrigerated meat, thermally processed milk and dairy goods, and leather. The assessment missions of EU are planned for the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007. In January-August 2006, foreign exports of Moldova constituted USD 2.248 bln. The exports amounted to USD 635.5 mln, by 7.2% less compared to the same period of 2005. The exports went up by 5.8% on the European market and by 34.3% on the Central and East European market, particularly on the Romanian market. The exports to the markets of CIS member countries have decreased by 20.7%. In the first 8 months of 2006, the imports amounted to USD 1.613 bln, by 14.7% more compared with the same period of 2005. The deficit of the balance of trade constituted USD 977.5 mln in this period.