​LIBERALS CHALLENGE DECISION ON OPENING DUTY-FREE SHOPS IN TRANSNISTRIA

The Liberal Party (LP) challenged in the Constitutional Court the Government’s decision on duty-free stores opening in the territory of Transnistria. The request in this regard was filled to the Court on Monday.

According to the LP website, opening of the duty-free network in the Transnistrian sector of Moldo-Ukrainian border, outside of Moldovan authorities’ control, threatens Moldova’s economic security and violates the competitiveness laws. In their request, liberals challenge the provisions of the fiscal policy 2015, adopted by the Government under its responsibility in early April. According to new provisions, amendments are introduced to the RM Tax Code, which allow opening of duty-free shops in the territory of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan republic (PMR).

According to Liberals, the state can not ensure control over the duty-free shops activity on the temporarily uncontrolled territories. Also, the LP points at the fact that duty-free stores are located on the territory of customs stations, which are monitored by the Customs Service and the Border Police.

Liberals have been especially outraged by Transnistria’s opening of a duty-free near Dubasari, which according to them shows the existence of a border between the Transnistrian region and Moldova and detracts from the unique and indivisible status of the Moldovan state. They also point at the fact that some of duty-free shops are opened not only at the exit from Moldova, but also at the entrance, which is contrary to the provision that goods, purchased in conditions of duty-free trade, should not remain in the country.

The LP demanded to check for constitutionality of the Government actions, while for the period of inspection to suspend the fulfilling of the Government decision.

Infotag’s dossier: There are two companies, which have the right to open duty-free shops in Moldova: Le bridge (France) and Dufremol, which belongs to the well-known businessman Ilan Shor, who is under house arrest on the case of withdrawing a large sum of money from three Moldovan banks.