U.S. Congress might consider annulling Jackson-Vanik Amendment for Moldova

While in Washington on a visit, the Moldovan Deputy Premier for Reintegration Victor Osipov asked U.S. officials for support in removing Moldova from the list of countries affected by the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the Reintegration Office of Moldova. Congressman William Delahunt expressed readiness to propose introducing a draft resolution to this effect in the agenda of the U.S. Congress. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment affects U.S. trade relations with communist or former communist countries that restrict freedom of emigration and other human rights. It continues to apply to Moldova 20 years after the dismemberment of the Soviet Union. Prime Minister Vlad Filat asked the U.S. authorities to free Moldova from the effects of the amendment while in Washington on a visit this January. In Washington, Victor Osipov had meetings with the chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe within the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives William D. Delahunt, Congressman from North Carolina David Price, Senator John McCain and chairman of the Helsinki Committee, Senator Benjamin Cardin. He thanked the U.S. officials for the support offered to Moldova, including by promoting humanitarian projects implemented under the bilateral partnership.