The over 100,000 tonnes of apples that are kept in cold storage facilities in Moldova can be maximally used on the domestic market. Also, the apples that do not reach the Russian market can be processed and a part of them can be exported to Romania, the standing expert of IPN’s project Igor Boțan stated in a public debate on the issue staged by IPN News Agency.
“When we speak about the Russian market to which Moldovan apples are exported, we see that we face difficulties of selling to this market for the third time and the causes are different. In 2005-2006, the cause was the so-called blocking of Transnistria and the Russian Federation found a pretext then. Since 2013-2014 until present, Russia has found another pretext – the European integration of the Republic of Moldova - for punishing us and for blocking us. The situation now is diferent. The Russian Federation invaded Ukraine and we see that the Russian market periodically generates great dangers to the Republic of Moldova, regrettably. In this context, the way in which we draw conclusions and reorient ourselves to other markets matters. We don’t know if we will be further able to export to the Russian market. The farmers who got used to export to the Russian market continue out of inertia to tie their economic and commercial activities to this market that is now inaccessible,” stated Igor Boțan.
According to the expert, the way in which the Republic of Moldova behaves with regard to the sanctions imposed against Russia by the EU and the U.S. is appropriate. “As a citizen of this country, I realize that we should make common cause with the European community and with Ukraine, but we also saw the attitude of the government, of President Maia Sandu, who clearly said that when sanctions are imposed, this is a punishment for reprovable deeds. Yes, the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine and should pay. So, if we associate ourselves with the policy of the European Union, of the international community, we should see how Russia feels as a result of our sanctions. It is a mosquito bite. However, if we subscribe to these penalties, we punish ourselves and do the Russian Federation a favor because there are political forces in the Republic of Moldova that exploit these things and will clap their hands and say – very well, you do exactly what we need to return to power when time comes.”
The expert noted it is highly improbable that Ukraine or other countries that penalize Russia will point the finger at the Republic of Moldova. “The same is true about the European countries that face problems with the supply of gas. They say it clearly: we cannot punish Russia when this punishment will be felt by our own citizens more than those from the Russian Federation. You penalize when you can make a choice. If we do not export apples to the Russian market, but the market in Egypt welcomes us, I would understand it. But if something like this does not exist, I consider the authorities behave absolutely correctly.”
The public debate titled “Dilemma of Moldovan fruit exports: to the East and/or to the West?” was the 234th installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
