In approximately two weeks, the Russian side will work out and l present the mechanisms for amnestying the Moldovans working in Russia who violated Articles 26 and 27 of the migration law. Starting with January 1, 2019, the bans on the entry and stay in Russia will be abolished for about 170,000 Moldovans, President Igor Dodon announced in a news conference held to sum up the results of the official visit he paid to Russia on October 31 and November 1, IPN reports.

As to the decision to eliminate the customs duties on the export of five categories of Moldovan goods to Russia, namely vegetables, fruit, canned fruit and vegetables and wine products, Igor Dodon said this is an exceptional measure taken by the President of Russia at his request. He noted he is convinced that the export of these products will increase with the elimination of these taxes given that these goods are exported in the largest volumes to Russia.

President Dodon said the taxes will be annulled only for six months as negotiations on the issue should be held by the Government. “Regrettably, the last year and a half the government hasn’t held discussions with the partners from Russia. The first contacts between the foreign ministries will take place this week, on November 8, when the secretary of state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova leaves for Russia. It happens after the Government of the Republic of Moldova last March banned all the employees of state institution from going to Russia,” he stated, noting representatives of Russia’s foot safety watchdog Rosselikhoznadzor will soon come to Moldova to extend the list of companies that could export to Russia, up from the current about 200 companies.

While in Moscow, Igor Dodon and his Russian counterpart discussed the possibility of increasing the number of scholarships for Moldovans who want to study at universities in Russia, up from the approximately 1,000 offered at present. They agreed to declare 2019 the Year of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation and 2020 the Year of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova.

Also, the Russia side will offer support for different infrastructure and social assistance projects, including those that benefit people from both sides of the Nistru River. Igor Dodon said that at his request the Russian Federation decided to offer Moldova free the first consignment of KAMAZ trucks. These will arrive in the municipalities of Moldova during the next few weeks.