The leader of the Party of Regions of Moldova Alexandr Kalinin says corrupt schemes are applied on the export of Moldovan goods to Russia and these are orchestrated by President Igor Dodon. According to Kalinin, the producers suffer losses as a result of these schemes, while a series of intermediaries enjoy benefits that reach Igor Dodon as well.
In a news conference at IPN, Alexandr Kalinin said that before the parliamentary elections of Moldova, on July 21, 2014, the Russian Federation imposed temporary bans on the import of fruit from Moldova. But this misfortune for the Moldovan producers brought advances to Igor Dodon, who, together with the Party of Socialists, broadly used the subject of the Russian bans in the election campaign, pursuing selfish political goals. After the parliamentary elections, Igor Dodon continued to make use of the bans imposed by the Russian authorities to gain not only political, but also financial benefits. Together with his Russian partners, he lobbied for opening up the market for Moldovan fruit, but not for all the producers, but only for his acolytes and those who were ready to pay illegal commissions.
The leader of the Party of Regions also said that in 2015-2018, the lists of exporters to the Russian market were compiled exclusively with Igor Dodon’s consent. These included mainly companies loyal to the Party of Socialists and not agricultural producers, but rather intermediaries from ATU Gagauzia, Grigoriopol, Dubăsari, Camenca, Râbnița, Slobozia.
“For the exports to go only through the filter controlled by Igor Dodon and his partners, on March 14, 2016 there were imposed new bans – the Moldovan fruit can be exported only through particular customs posts. The subject of exports was again exploited by Igor Dodon as a political argument in the presidential elections of 2016. Igor Dodon obtained financial benefits through the agency of a corrupt scheme implemented together with his partners. He practically monopolized the export of Moldovan products to Russia for the purpose of enriching himself,” stated Alexandr Kalinin.
He also said that the apple producers are practically deprived of the possibility of exporting directly to the Russian market. In such conditions, they have to simply throw their production. Alexandr Kalinin called upon the electors to vote for the Party of Regions as this party will not allow Igor Dodon to monopolize the market of Moldova agricultural products exported to Russia and each producer will be able to export directly, without intermediaries.
