Moscow hosts Moldovan-Russian inter-ministerial consultations
16:18 | 13.11.2014 Category: Official
Chisinau, 13 November /MOLDPRES/ - An ordinary round of Moldovan-Russian political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers was held in Moscow today. Moldova's delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Valeriu Chiveri and the Russian one by Secretary of State, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry's information and media communication service has reported.
The sides tackled the issues included on the bilateral agenda, in particular, the continuation of the political dialogue, economic cooperation, as well as the possibility to exclude restrictions from the bilateral trade, collaboration in the energy and social and humanitarian areas.
The officials also approached the implementation of the plan on inter-ministerial consultations, which included more bilateral activities by the end of 2014, and underlined in this respect the importance to maintain the constructive bilateral dialogue.
Moldova's delegation paid an increased attention to the item regarding the unjustified restrictions imposed by Russia to the import of more categories of Moldovan goods, which significantly affect the bilateral trade of the two states. Additionally, the officials spoke out for continuing talks on identifying ways to solve the present problems.
As regards the cooperation in the energy sector, the sides welcomed the prolongation of the contract on Russian gas supply and its transit via Moldova's territory, as well as the cutting down of the price to supplied gas starting from 1 January 2015.
The sides also addressed the social protection of Moldovans working in Russia. The two officials stressed the importance to continue the talks at the level of experts, in order to give final touches and prepare for signing a string of bilateral agreements regulating the respective issue.
The delegations also exchanged views about the Russian authorities' decision from 5 November on travel and stay regime of Moldovans on Russia's territory. The Moldovan side requested additional information about the implementation of the new requirements.
At the same time, the officials also exchanged views about the cooperation in the humanitarian area. In the context, they welcomed the initiative of the responsible ministries to organise in the near future a round of consultations on mutual recognition of diplomas, following the joining of the Bologna Process by both sides.
The officials broached the current situation and prospects to settle the Transnistrian conflict. The Moldovan delegation underlined the need to overcome the difficulties to organise the next round of five-plus-two talks. The Moldovan officials reiterated the position regarding the need to withdraw the Russian troops from Moldova's territory, as well as the transforming of the peacekeeping operation into a civil mission under international mandate.
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