The Customs Union is not a real option for developing Moldova, but this does not mean that the economic relations with Russia should be terminated. Instead, the European Union can help Moldova become a modern and competitive state, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Andrian Candu said in an interview given to Deutsche Welle after meeting with a number of German officials and European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger, IPN reports.
“Moldova has signed the Association Agreement with the EU, which includes the DCFTA that started to be applied on September 1 this year. What does this mean for my country? It means modernization, new standards and quality. The EU offers us a unique chance to transform Moldova from the poorest country of Europe into a modern, competitive country with the rule of law. Only this way will we manage to guarantee the observance of consumers’ rights and to make competition a norm,” stated Andrian Candu. He noted that the residents of the Transnistrian region will also benefit from the European integration and the DCFTA, with Transnistria’s exports to EU representing already 60% of all its exports.
The minister noted that even if the entry into the Customs Union cannot replace the European integration as the country’s development course, this does not mean that the economic relations with Russia should be ended. “The Customs Union is not an option for Moldova for a number of reasons. But this does not mean that the free trade agreements with Russia and other states of this union should be terminated. Moldova’s pragmatism and economic interest should prevail over any of the populist provocations of particular marginal currents of Chisinau,” said Andrian Candu. He reminded that Russia itself made it clear that it wants closer cooperation relations with the EU, especially in the economic sphere and in the area of free movement of people.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said that he discussed alternatives and solutions for ensuring Moldova’s energy security with European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger, focusing on the negotiations on the supply of gas between Moldova and Russia and the dangers that can appear if Russia halts the supply of gas to Ukraine. “After this week’s meetings of Commissioner Oettinger in Kyiv, we will inform each other and will agree the measures that Moldova must take to make sure that the people are supplied with natural gas, crude oil and coal,” stated Andrian Candu. He underlined that the construction of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline and its extension up to Chisinau are an example of diversification of the country’s energy sources.
The minister had meetings with officials of the German Chancellery and with representatives of agencies specialized in economic cooperation, such as the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations. “The German officials expressed readiness to offer us assistance and consultancy for identifying new solutions and using the opportunities that appear in the European integration of Moldova,” said Andrian Candu. He also met with German businessmen whom he familiarized with the investment opportunities in Moldova.
Andrian Candu had been in Germany on a working visit on October 13-15.
