The Republic of Moldova wants to return to an unrestricted trade regime with the Russian Federation, based on the CIS Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2012. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, this agreement is neither in contradiction with the Association Agreement nor with the European Union Free Trade Zone provisions.
In a press conference, Nicu Popescu said that he wanted to "normalize relations with Russia". Last year, only 8% of Moldova's exports went to Russia. Nicu Popescu believes that exports can grow and this growth is a priority that will serve the interest of Moldovan citizens.
"This agreement should determine the criteria and conditions that our exporters need to meet in order to export goods to the Russian Federation. However, this Agreement does not apply to bilateral trade, to progress towards liberalizing and to gaining access for our goods on the Russian Federation market”, said the Minister. The topic will be discussed in the near future with Russian partners, including at the government level.
In other news, Nicu Popescu said that during his visit to Moscow on September 11, he also discussed the Transnistrian settlement process. "For Moldova it is important to continue the diplomatic efforts to obtain the withdrawal of Russian Federation troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova". In Moscow, the official said that Moldova can neither return to the federalization nor to the Transnistrian conflict settlement principles discussed 15 years ago.
