Second round of DCFTA talks starts in Brussels

The second round of negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Moldova and the European Union has started in Brussels and is expected to last throughout this month, the Moldovan Ministry of Economy announced in a press release. The negotiating delegations are headed by chief negotiators, and namely Moldovan Deputy Economy Minister Octavian Calmic, and Luc Devigne, head of the European Commission's Trade Department. The talks will focus on the legal aspect of each chapter of the future DCFTA Agreement. A number of sectoral specifications will be introduced in the legal texts. The negotiations will take place in 13 sectoral subgroups. The negotiations will also be attended by a representative of the Transnistrian administration, who will participate as an observer on the invitation of the Moldovan Government. The first round was held during March 19-23 in Chisinau. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the European Union implies a gradual liberalization of trade in goods and services, free movement of labor force, lower customs duties, removal of technical and non-tariff barriers, annulment of quotas, and harmonization of Moldova's legislation with the EU acquis. The DCFTA will replace the current unilateral Autonomous Trade Preferences grated by the EU to Moldova.