Former Prime Minister of Moldova Vasile Tarlev has been elected Chairman of the Administrative Board of the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE).  
At the Wednesday press conference at Infotag, he said that he regards this event as one of major importance for Moldovan economy.

“There were seven candidates for the post of the Congress Head at the ICIE prestige forum in Riga. Among them - very responsible and important people from business communities of Russia and Kazakhstan. The selection has been carried out by means of presenting by candidates of their activity programs, after which discussions and questions followed. After my speech, candidates from Italy and Kyrgyzstan asked members of the Congress to vote for my candidature. I am thankful to my colleagues for their trust and I will try to achieve the maximum for Moldova”, said he.

Tarlev is sure that by means of activity in the ICIE it is possible to solve the problem of lifting barriers in the way of goods and services movement in the world.

“Policy of sanctions, the epoch of which we are living now, is the politicians’ will. Population is not to be blamed. But because everybody wants to eat – ordinary people, and officials, and cosmonauts, I think that we will be able to organize a free exchange of goods and services, acting as a lobby each in his own country”, said the Ex-Premier.

He is sure that the ruling coalition is responsible for the today’s stalemate in the agro-industrial sector.

“There is a paradox: we have free trade agreement with the CIS, but it does not work in full (in relation to the main partner - Russia), neither does the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). In the second case, for supplies to the EU, certificates are necessary, as well as special packaging and fulfillment of plenty of directives. The rulers caused this mess, but producers and population are first to suffer. I guess this happened because of nonprofessionals in the power. We should substitute them and continue building Moldova”, said Tarlev.

Ex-Premier considers that only big countries may allow themselves to play big politics.

“Moldova is small and can afford conducting only a right policy, being only there, where there is a national interest, where our products are demanded. This is primarily the CIS and mainly Russia. But it would be foolish to refuse active cooperation with the EU. On my new post I will promote namely this vision upon solving problems”, said he.

Referring to chances on entering in the Parliament of the Vozrojdenie-Renastere [Revival] Party, where he is co-chairman, Tarlev regarded these as high, provided there will be no fraud.

“We have offices in all the raions [districts]. A similar network, probably, have only Communists. But we are a young party, we had no access to the media (because in Moldova all of them are engaged by the authorities), so we went to the people. We are known and trusted. The second thing is that we have supporters in Transnistria and we count on their votes. Besides, we hope to mobilize the electorate in Russia, Italia, Romania through our offices in these countries. I am sure of our success at elections”, said Tarlev.

He explained his desire to come back to politics by the fact that he “has long learned to earn money both for ice-cream and for cinema, but what happens in the country’s economy is a cause for concern”.

“Those who came to power, have already demonstrated themselves enough. Now, Moldova shall be run by versed economists with experience and contacts”, said Tarlev.

Infotag’s dossier: Vasile Tarlev has been elected Head of the Administrative Board of the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs for a two-year term with the right to be reelected for one more mandate. The ICIE is an international NGO, aimed at developing business cooperation. It includes 40 regional organizations from 30 countries worldwide. Among members of the ICIE are former parliamentary speakers, ex-premiers, retired ministers.

… AND SAYS THAT SITUATION WITH APPLES MAY BE SETTLED IN 7-10 DAYS

The situation with apples in Moldova may be solved in 7-10 days, said Former Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev at the Friday press conference at Infotag, putting on the Moldovan Government the blame for Moscow’s ban on Moldovan fruits imports to Russia.

“But now it is not the time to seek for the guilty. Actions are necessary. And the first is to throw all the forces and means for harvesting the crops, which still remain in the orchards. Up to attracting army to this. The second – to oblige canning factories buy apples from producers at a fixed, but not meager price. The third – the Government should compensate losses to fruit growers and do this fairly, do not distort or change the rules of the game”, said Tarlev.

He called foolish the statement of Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov about the fact that the Government has no money for compensations to farmers.

“They have money to equip with video cameras classrooms, to supervise children learning, but there is no money to compensate losses, which are due to the authorities’ failures? Let them ask from banks. The state should be responsible for its failures in the agricultural sphere”, concluded the Ex-Premier.