The removal of barriers to the bilateral trade between Moldova and Russia, the development and extension of cooperation in the agro-industrial sector and cooperation in the energy and transport sectors were only some of the subjects discussed by the Moldovan-Russian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation in Moscow on June 24. The Moldovan side was represented by acting Deputy Prime Minster Victor Osipov, while the Russian side by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government Dmitry Rogozin. The meeting also involved representatives of the competent ministries and institutions of the two states, IPN reports.

The commission’s co-chairmen raised a wide range of subjects from the bilateral agenda. The Moldovan side underlined the importance of intensifying dialogue with a view to eliminating the tariff and non-tariff restrictions imposed by Russia on the import of a number of categories of Moldovan products. The Russian side expressed readiness to identify solutions to the existing problems, especially the import of Moldovan alcoholic beverages, processed fruit and vegetable products, products of animal and vegetal origin into Russia. As to the cooperation in the energy sector, the interlocutors agreed to continue the consultations at the level of experts.

The meeting also discussed the social protection of Moldovans working in Russia. The two officials stressed the necessity of finishing the negotiations on the package of bilateral agreements that regulate the given issue. The sides also agreed to start the preparations for staging the ordinary meeting of the Moldovan-Russian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation in autumn.

A separate subject for discussion was the latest development in the Transnistrian region, the socioeconomic situation there and the prospects of the negotiation process in the 5+2 format.

The program of the visit to Moscow included a working meeting with the secretary of state, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Russia Grigory Karasin. The interlocutors conferred on subjects referring to the bilateral cooperation and the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks. In both of the meetings, the sides underlined the necessity of remedying the situation and continuing the negotiation process.