Brexit likely to have direct impact on Moldova - experts
13:58 | 24.06.2016 Category: Economic
Chisinau, 24 June /MOLDPRES/- The United Kingdom should leave the European Union, which might have a direct impact on Moldova both at political and economic level, experts said.
“Firstly, the pro-European message will suffer, losing ground during the last years, but pro-eastern politicians will fully exploit the fact that a state having an important position in the EU took a decision to get out of the EU”, IDIS Viitorul expert Viorel Chivriga said.
Chivriga said that secondly, the assistance provided to Moldova might decrease, taking into account that the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was “a state which helped us very much”, but after leaving the EU, problems might occur, including on behalf of the EU.
Thirdly, the Great Britain is one of main trade partners of Moldova, which in 2015 ranked third in terms of exports and ninth – imports. In the first four months of 2016, the British people ranked fourth among trade partners of Moldova in exports and eighth in imports. Once leaving the EU, the economic problems will occur in the Great Britain, affecting the bilateral commerce, Chivriga said.
Problems might arise as regards movement of people, especially, for Moldovans holding Romanian passports and working or studying in the Great Britain. And not only these negative effects might be, the expert said.
Executive director of the Foreign Policy Association Victor Chirila said that “Brexit means uncertain times for EU. The EU enlargement has completed regretfully. From now on, the EU will be concerned about its own survival. As regards Moldova, it is sad. Moldova failed forever the opportunity to join the EU as an independent state. We are alone in face of impending storm”.
The final counting of votes from the 23 June referendum confirms that most Brits opted for Brexit, respectively the exit of the EU, according to BBC, AFP and DPA.
According to final results, 51.9 per cent of voters voted in favor of Brexit.
(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Răileanu)
