Moldova authorities deny accusations of new blockade against Transnistria

The allegations about “a new stage of the economic blockade against Transnistria” is a deliberate provocation, that aims at misinforming not only the business on the left bank of the Nistru River, but also the leadership of certain countries, a commentary by the Ministry of Reintegration reads. The commentary makes reference to the Government’s decision that gives the Transnistria-based enterprises, which have a temporary registration, the right to receive preferential certificates of origin allowing exports to the EU and CIS countries, as well as to a number of other European states. The issuance of such certificates by the Moldovan authorities supposes certain bilateral and multilateral obligations to the EU, CIS, other states and organisations. These commitments entail efficient measures to counter re-exports and smuggling. The Government’s decision, which stipulates the legalisation of imports operated by Transnistrian enterprises, concerns just raw material and components imported by these companies for producing commodities intended for export, and is in compliance with international standards in this field, as well as with WTO commitments assumed by Moldova. The ministry draws the attention of the Transnistrian authorities to the activities of dubious “carriers”, controlled by well-known persons in the region, which causes losses of millions of dollars to the local budget. By eliminating such underground schemes, which are used under the slogan “fight against the railway blockade”, it will be possible to restore the normal functioning of the rail transport on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova, including across the Transnistrian region, to the benefit of common citizens and economic agents. It will also be possible to resume transfers to the regional budget, and to restore to their jobs about 3,000 persons who lost them after the property of “Moldova Railway” State Enterprise was seized in 2004, the commentary says. The authorities of the breakaway region, as well as of Russia have termed the introduction of the new customs regime in 2004 an “economic blockade”, which later led to the disruption of the 5+2 negotiations.