The number one priority of Moldo-Ukrainian relations is the demarcation of the border between the two countries. The statement was made by Ukrainian ambassador in Chisinau Ivan Gnatishin in interview for Ukrinform, quoted by IPN.

The diplomat says that thanks to recent efforts, over 1200 km of the border has been demarcated, including 440 km in the central (Transnistrian) area of the border. To complete the process, an agreement needs to be reached regarding four border areas with a total length of about 5 km.

As concerns economic relations, the ambassador said that a peak was reached in 2013, with the value of trade between the two countries reaching over 1 billion dollars. In 2015, the figure was estimated at 565 million dollars.

In order to boost economic cooperation, Ivan Gnatishin thinks there are three necessary steps. The first one is to apply the provisions of the EU Association Agreement, signed by both countries, including the chapter about the Free Trade Area. A second measure is to improve the infrastructure for the circulation of goods between the two neighbors, which includes the opening of the Bronita-Unguri bridge and the building of the Iampoli-Soroca (Cosauti) bridge by attracting some foreign financing in the project. A third step is make customs controls at the border as quick and transparent as possible.

Regarding the fight against corruption, the diplomat thinks both countries could use the experience of other countries, such as Romania.

Ivan Gnatishin also spoke about the Ukrainian diaspora in Moldova and said that a protocol is being prepared by the two countries so that from 2017 students of Ukranian ethnicity from Moldova would be offered places in Ukrainian higher education institutions.