Eugen Carpov: Tiraspol doesn’t want to participate in FTA negotiations with the EU

The representatives of the Transnistrian region show no interest in the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, according to Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov. The official said that if the Transnistrian side refuses to participate in this process, it will be at a disadvantage and, as a result, so will the people in the region, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We are worried by Tiraspol’s attitude towards these negotiations. Today, we have 800 Transnistrian companies registered in Chisinau. This registration offers them the chance to enjoy all the facilitations and rights that Moldovan companies have in relation with international partners”, he said. The Deputy Prime Minister said that currently companies from the Transnistrian region can export local production to the European market thanks to the preferential trade regime offered by the EU to Moldova, without paying customs duties and enjoying all the other benefits of the regime. “The new free trade agreement will create a new regime, more advantageous for Moldovan companies, and that will cancel or substitute autonomous trade preferences by default”, said Eugen Carpov. As a result of signing this agreement, companies will have new benefits and responsibilities. "We proposed from the very beginning for the Transnistrian side to participate in these negotiations alongside Moldovan experts, to have access to all the documents, to be able to promote its interests according to the production in the Transnistrian region. Unfortunately, there are many actions that show Tiraspol’s unwillingness to participate in this new trade regime”, said Carpov. The Deputy Prime Minister hopes that the agreement will be signed next year and that Tiraspol will change its stance in the meantime.