The Party of Socialists’ candidate for President Igor Dodon said that if he is elected Head of State, he will not denounce the Association Agreement with the European Union. He made such a statement in an electoral debate on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.

“The President cannot denounce the Association Agreement. I promise we will keep good relations with the EU and the visa-free regime. We must decide yet on trade in the relations with the EU. The Moldovan market is invaded by European goods, to the detriment of the national producers. We cannot use our apples other way, while from Europe they export tonnes of apples. We want the goods to Europe to be exported duty-free, while from Europe to be with taxes,” stated the Socialist leader.

Speaking about the Transnistrian dispute, Igor Dodon pleaded for the provision of a special status to the region. “The Transnistrian conflict appeared at the end of the 1990s, owing to unionists. The problem can be solved by giving this area a special status. The people will decide what this status would be like. If I’m elected President, I will initiate consultations at the beginning of next year,” he added.

In the program, the Socialist leader pleaded for the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Moldova’s territory. “I’m for the neutrality of the Republic of Moldova and this means that there should be no foreign troops on its territory. I’m for the pullout of the Russian troops from Moldova’s territory, but this can be achieved after the Transnistrian dispute is resolved politically,” said Igor Dodon.