Main body of DCFTA agreement has been finalized

Luc Devigne, EU's chief negotiator on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Agreement with Moldova, is optimistic that negotiations can be completed in 2013, Info-Prim Neo reports. Speaking today at a news conference held together with Moldova's chief negotiator Octavian Calmic after the conclusion of the third round of negotiations (Sept. 11-14), Devigne highlighted that, according to a EU study, the implementation of the Agreement will boost Moldovan exports by 16% and will contribute to a 5.6% GDP growth. Octavian Calmic announced that during the latest round of negotiations the main body of the Agreement has been finalized, with the Agreement's annexes to be negotiated in the rounds to come. The annexes are supposed to include nearly 10,000 tariff lines, that is, almost all the products and services contained in Moldova's Classification of Trade Goods. Calmic revealed that the EU has made a generous offer to apply a zero-rate duty on Moldovan industrial products on the EU markets. “During the fourth round, to be held from November 20 to 24, we will discuss the offer on agri-food products and we will decide for which of the products the liberalization of the market will be gradual”, said Calmic. Meanwhile, Moldova will have to adjust its laws, secondary legislation and institutional framework as regards customs administration, origin of goods, competition and intellectual property. Video conferences will be held in the process to discuss the progress achieved. Octavian Calmic noted that the negotiations were attended by a representative from the Transnistrian region, adding that he wished for a more active and numerous participation. Luc Devigne stated in this context that when the Agreement takes effect it will be applicable throughout Moldova, including the eastern districts. “If the Transnistrian authorities fail to bring their secondary legislation in line with the terms of the Agreement, the EU will impose customs duties of 10% on textile and of 17% on other imports from Transnistria-based businesses”. Moldova initiated negotiations on the DCFTA Agreement in March 2012.