​MOLDOVA CAN SYMMETRICALLY RESPOND TO RUSSIA’S TRADE RESTRICTIONS – VALERIU STRELET

Moldova has a symmetrical answer to trade restrictions, imposed by Russia, said Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet in an interview to Adevarul [Truth] newspaper.

“We have some instruments, to which we had not resorted yet, such as symmetrical actions. We had not advanced complaints about the quality and compliance against the products, imported from Russia, so far”, Strelet said.

According to him, in case the Russian embargo continues, it is highly possible that Moldova will adopt symmetrical measures.

Premier stands for a dialog with Russia, where Chisinau will demonstrate that there is no sense to try through restrictive measures or trade pressure to change the strategic vector, on which Moldova has considerably advanced and which is not going to be changed.

“The European Integration is Moldova’s national priority. This should be explained to our partners. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU does not represent any risk for the Russian market. European goods will not get to Russia through Moldova”, Premier says.

Presenting the activity program of his Cabinet of Ministers in the Parliament on July 30, Strelet spoke for resetting of relations with Russia, which in his opinion is an important partner for Moldova.

The ban on importing certain categories of Moldovan goods to Russia is regarded by Moldovan authorities as an embargo.

The rules of exporting to Russia of Moldovan goods were toughened in 2014 after Moldova signed the DCFTA with the EU. Russia cancelled zero customs duties for a number of products, including wine, meat, vegetables, fruit and grain. Moscow introduced temporary restrictions on importing Moldovan fruit, vegetables, meat, canned food under the pretext of their noncompliance with Russian quality requirements.