Moldovan, Russian presidents have official meeting in Kremlin on 17 January

Chisinau, 19 January /MOLDPRES/ - The two officials, at the meeting, discussed issues on more subjects of major importance for Moldova, such as the re-launch of the bilateral economic, social and cultural relations, return of Moldovan goods to the Russian market, situation of Moldovan migrant workers in Russia, etc., the presidential press service has reported.  

The Russian president, in the beginning of the meeting, stressed the importance Russia attached to the cooperation with Moldova: “Moldova is an important partner of Russia in the region. Unfortunately, all of us know that, on the last period, the ties between our countries have not been quite good. A confirmation in this respect is also a practically two-fold cut in the trade exchange.  

Nevertheless, I hope very much that the first visit you pay to Russia (this is your first visit as president of the country) will be a good impetus for developing the relations between our states on all dimensions.   

Certainly, I and my colleagues congratulate you on your election as president of Moldova and the swearing in office.”  

For his part, Igor Dodon said: “Dear Vladimir Putin! Dear colleagues!

First of all, I thank you very much for congratulations. I thank you for the warm words expressed in late last year and in the last several years.

I am sure that we witness the beginning of a new period in our relations. Unfortunately, in the last seven years, the notion of strategic partnership with Russia has disappeared even from the strategic acts of the Moldovan state. Yet, last year, the Moldovan people voted for a new president of the country and voted for his programme. Most citizens of Moldova gave their votes for the preservation of the statehood, for neutrality, for strategic partnership with Russia, for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, for the preservation of our traditional Orthodox values. We hope very much and the people of Moldova also hope very much that, starting from 2017, a new stage will start for us and we will manage to re-launch the strategic partnership in the basic sectors.

This is the first official visit following my election and the first official visit by the  president of Moldova since 2008. In the last nine years, none of the country’s leaders has paid an official visit to Russia. Namely for this reason, most citizens and the entire Moldova keep a close eye on this visit, hoping very much for the settlement of the problems which have undoubtedly accumulated.”  

The sides will hold a news conference on the meeting.