The Transnistrian administration announced that the economic entities of the region next year will continue to export duty-free to the European Union, based on an agreement with Brussels, even if the preferential trade regime ends officially this year. The EU Delegation to Moldova hasn’t commented on these statements, IPN reports.

“The EU decided that the Transnistrian economic entities will export goods to the European market duty-free. From our viewpoint, this decision brings stability and we hope that the Republic of Moldova will not place obstacles,” said Transnistria’s chief negotiator in the conflict settlement process Vitali Ignatyev.

Economic analyst Viorel Chivriga, in an interview for Radio Fe Europe, said these statements by Tiraspol are rather a method by which the authorities of the self-proclaimed republic are subtly trying to present the region’s wishes. “I don’t think they are discussing directly with Brussels,” said the expert. According to him, Tiraspol is most probably on waiting positions and more information about the continuation or stopping of the trade preferences offered by the EU will become known next week.

The Delegation of the European Union in Chisinau didn’t comment on this matter.