Six agreements of cooperation between Moldova and Belarus have been signed within President Alexandr Lukashenko’s visit to Chisinau. The two heads of state stressed that the bilateral relations are very good and they aim to intensify them, especially at economic level, IPN reports.
The signed documents are: the joint statement of the two Presidents; the interstate treaty on the transfer of convicted persons; the agreement of cooperation between the chambers of trade and industry of the two states; the plan of consultations between the foreign ministries for 2015-2017; the list of goods supplied by enterprises within cooperation in production, and the 2015-2016 plan of action for cooperation between the Chisinau City Hall and the Minsk City Hall.
President Nicolae Timofti said the negotiations with his Belarusian counterpart took place in a warm and constructive atmosphere, underling that the relations between Moldova and Belarus are based on friendship, mutual support and understanding. “In the meeting, we discussed the prospects of implementing joint projects in infrastructure and the agro-industrial, energy, and electric transport sectors. We conferred especially on the supply of Moldovan agricultural products, fruit, vegetables and wines. We also discussed possibilities of extending cooperation in the production sector, given the Moldovan economy’s growing necessity of agricultural machinery and towns’ necessities of new trolleybuses and buses made in Belarus,” he stated.
The head of state voiced hope that the forum of businessmen of the two countries, which was held in Chisinau on September 24, and the signed agreements and contracts will give a new impetus to the bilateral cooperation. He noted that the interregional cooperation should be developed by implementing joint programs at regional level and by continuing to hold the days of culture of the two states.
For his part, Alexandr Lukashenko said that Moldova is one of the most important commercial partners of Belarus. It is the fifth largest partner by the volume of trade. Last year, trade between the two countries was US$360 million. Both of the countries intend to increase trade up to US$1 billion a year.
The President of Belarus added that he respects Moldova’s decision to sign and ratify the Association Agreement with the EU and will not take measures to place barriers to the bilateral trade. If some of the provisions of this accord do not meet the interests of the people of Belarus, the state authorities will clarify things calmly, without resorting to unilateral actions. The seriousness of the bans imposed by Russia on Moldova is exaggerated and the Moldovan producers should simply make more effort to conquer new markets. The fact that Moldova has a Free Trade Area with the EU is beneficial. The Moldovan-Belarusian companies, for example those that assemble tractors, will be able to export their products to the EU and to gain benefits.
In the end, Alexandr Lukashenko invited President Nicolae Timofti to pay an official visit to Minsk. The official visit of the President of Belarus to Moldova will continue tomorrow, September 25.
