Moldovan premier meets farmers' representatives

Chisinau, 24 August /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet and representatives of farmers’ associations discussed arrears of subsidies and compensations for fruit growers, invoked by the latter, at the government today, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

The prime minister assured the farmers that, along with the Finance Ministry and the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry ,they would resolve, as far as possible, the problems outlined during the discussion, noting Moldova’s difficult situation. "We need solidarity to overcome the problems in the agricultural sector. We are open for cooperation and ongoing communication, yet without empty promises and pressures", Valeriu Strelet said.

Valeriu Strelet said that debts to agricultural producers for 2014 would be paid after the rectification of the state budget. "In next September, we will negotiate with the International Monetary Fund, after which we will rectify the 2015 budget and identify sources from which we can take the necessary funds", the premier added.

According to data by the Finance Ministry, 160 million lei had been paid by 22 August 2015, out of the 207.6 million lei in arrears of subsidies for 2014.

(Editor M. Jantovan)