The entry into the Eurasian Customs Union is problematic, especially for the states that are already members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or seek membership. If Moldova decides to join the Customs Union, it will have to pay higher tariffs for goods and services and will also be penalized by the WTO for taking decisions unilaterally. Such statements were made by members of the German Economic Team Moldova in a press briefing held in Chisinau, IPN reports.
|The Team’s head Ricardo Giucci said the Customs Union is only a project that faces constitution-related problems. One of the founding countries - Kazakhstan – wants to become a WTO member and therefore experiences difficulties as it is also to form part of the Customs Union.
According to Ricardo Giucci, the countries in the Customs Union are not free to choose. Thus, if Russia sets a tariff for a service, the other Customs Union member states cannot put another tariff. At the same time, a free trade agreement with the EU will enable Moldova to impose its own rules without being told by someone what to do.
The economist stated that if Moldova joins the Customs Union, it will have to renegotiate all the agreements with the WTO member states. It will also pay penalties for taking decisions unilaterally.
The experts of the German Economic Team Moldova consider that the Moldovan authorities should tell firmly the Kremlin that the country is interested only in the commercial relations, not yet in the offer to join the Customs Union.
