​EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES QUOTAS FOR MOLDOVAN FRUIT DUTY-FREE IMPORTS

The European Parliament approved on Wednesday cancelling of customs duties on importing Moldovan apples, table grapes and plums.

According to the European Parliament press release, import duties are cancelled on 40 thousand tons of Moldovan fresh apples (0.4% of EU output), 10 thousand tons of fresh plums (0.7%) and 10 thousand tons of fresh table grapes (0.6%). Most of these imports are likely to go to Romania.

The decision was taken as a response to Russia’s politically-motivated ban on imports of Moldovan produces. The embargo has painfully affected Moldovan economy, because Russia is Moldova’s second largest trade partner after the EU and around 10% of population is engaged in horticulture.

551 members of European Parliament voted for customs duties lifting, 67 voted against, while 23 – abstained.

“The importance of the regulation approved today goes far beyond some quantities of apples, grapes and plums. It serves as a demonstration of solidarity in the face of hardship; it is a breath of fresh air for a sector of vital importance to the Moldovan economy, which is affected by an irrational Russian ban, just like the EU itself", said rapporteur Sorin Moisa after the vote.

Tariff quotes are retroactive since August 1, 2014 and will be applied until the end of 2015. Imports from Moldova accounted for 0.1% of the EU total in 2013.

Over two months since the commencement of provisional application of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) clauses, Moldova has used only 1% of quota for apples, 13% - for grapes and 18% - plums.