Moldova can ask for higher tariff quotas if it reaches the ceiling set by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU, said experts of the German Economic Team Moldova. Berlin Economics director Ricardo Giucci stated the EU increased the export quotas for other states. Statements on the issue were made in a news conference at IPN.
Asked if Moldova has the right to renegotiate particular clauses of the Agreement, Ricardo Giucci said the negotiations were held before the signing of the document and only particular adjustments can be made now. These can be asked within the Association Council that meets regularly.
“If Moldova fully uses the quotas, but it does not do it now, there are possibilities of discussing adjustments,” stated the expert. Ricardo Giucci said he cannot state the EU’s position because there are 28 states with which consultations should be held, but considers there is room for discussions. He gave Ukraine as example, which obtained higher quotas for poultry.
The experts of GET Moldova said the Moldova–EU DCFTA is an accord between two sides and only these can take part in discussions. In a discussion with IPN’s reporter, Ricardo Giucci referred to Canada, which has a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and recently negotiated a similar agreement with the EU. In this case, the United States didn’t condition somehow the cooperation between Canada and the European Union. As Canada, Moldova can sign economic treaties with other states, without conditions on the part of third countries.
The German experts consider the Moldovan decision makers should make effort to improve the commercial relations with the Russian Federation. Moldova should trade with as many countries as it is able to.
