Moldovan, Ukrainian officials approach economic relations

Chisinau, 16 November /MOLDPRES/- The activity of the Moldovan-Ukrainian commission on economic cooperation will be resumed after a five-year break. Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic and First Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv agreed on it at a meeting in enlarged format.

The resumption of its activity after a five-year break points that both sides were interested in developing the bilateral relations, initiating joint projects with positive impact on economy of the two countries and region, Calmic said.

In Kubiv’s opinion, resetting the commission’s activity has to positively influence on the economic relations between two states, to create an efficient platform for business environment from Moldova and Ukraine in carrying out joint investment projects in all sectors.

Referring to the trade and economic relations, the sides agreed on increasing the commerce between two states, as well as not allowing restriction measures on import/export of goods. In the context, the Moldovan side said that the restrictions on import of goods from Ukraine, approved by a government decision of May 2016 were valid only till 31 December 2016, and future adoption of measures to protect the domestic market and local producers would be carried out by the Moldovan authorities in accordance with the World Trade Organisation rules. The Ukrainian side informed about adjusting the national legislation to international standards, which would simplify the export procedures in Ukraine on more categories of goods, including cement.

The delegations’ members agreed on signing a string of laws on liberalization of bilateral relations in auto and airline transport, coming into operation in the near future of the bridge Unguri-Bronnita, by creating a common customs checkpoint.

The sides also considered the opportunity to relaunch the train traffic on railway segment Basarabeasca-Berezino.

The Ukrainian side reiterated willingness to resume supply of electricity to Moldova on contract basis signed with economic agents from the country, as well as to carry out common projects both in energy and gas.

The delegations approached the problem on functioning of Dniestre hydroelectric complex in Novodnestrovsk, ecological situation in the region, and other bilateral issues. In the context, they decided that starting from February 2017 the expert groups should relaunch activity so that intergovernmental agreements on operation of this complex should be signed by late 2017.

At the end, they set that the meeting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian commission on economic cooperation would be organized during 2017 in Kiev.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor L. Alcază)