[Info-Prim Neo article from the series “20 years of the start of the war. When should we expect peace?”] Repeat from February 28 The activity of the working group for economy and trade is unsatisfactory because the objectives of the Moldovan side and the Transnistrian side are often opposed and thus the policy and solutions are also different, coordinator of the group on behalf of Chisinau Octavian Calmac has told Info-Prim Neo. According to him, though the existent format turned out to be viable and functional over time, the meetings of the working group are held seldom and irregularly. The Transnistrian side’s tactic is to avoid the dialogue based on the country’s integrity. Currently, the group is working on several joint projects. “Ensuing of the free movement of goods, capital and services between the two banks of the Nistru”; “Identification of possibilities of interconnecting the banking systems”; “Exchange of information, methods and standards in the area of statistics and bookkeeping”, and “Informing of the Transnistrian side about the rigors and opportunities related to the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the EU and Moldova”. According to the Deputy Minister of Economy, among the most significant results achieved last year are the annulment of the customs tax of 100% put on the Moldovan goods imported into Transnistria, ensuring of full and unconditional access for Transnistrian companies to the preferential trade regimes enjoyed by Moldova (with the EU, the CIS and Baltic countries), and suspension of the direct and indirect taxes put on Transnistrian economic entities. The import duties paid by the Transnistrian economic entities when importing goods through the official customs posts of Moldova into Transnistria were refunded and the companies operating in the Transnistrian region have now full access to the bilateral economic cooperation agreements with the CIS countries, especially Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Octavian Calmac said that this year the working group plans to start discussions on the unification of the tariff policies on the import of goods by stimulating and convincing the Transnistrian side to use the customs duties of Moldova. It also intends to initiate discussions on the implementation by Transnistria of the European taxation system by introducing VAT and excises so as to facilitate the completion of reforms and the fulfillment by Moldova of the future commitments in the area towards the EU. Another objective is to extend the Transnistrian companies’ access to training and international development assistance programs, including by examining the possibilities of organizing events on the left side of the Nistru. The Chisinau – Tiraspol working groups promote the measures aimed at building confidence and strengthening security between the two banks of the Nistru River. [Irina Turcanu, Info-Prim Neo]