Moldovan PM holds phone conversation with Russian counterpart

Chisinau, 2 October /MOLDPRES/- On Thursday, Prime Minister Ion Chicu had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Mihail Misustin.

According to the government's communication and protocol department, the officials praised the ascendant character of the bilateral relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation. They noted that the Moldovan-Russian Economic Forum, held yesterday, was an opportunity to boost trade relations and strategic partnership between the two states. A meeting of the Moldovan-Russian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation will also take place on Friday, to approach a number of issues on the bilateral agenda.

Chicu thanked his Russian counterpart for the support provided by the Russian government during the pandemic, noting the logistical support and the delivery of the medical equipment needed to combat COVID-19. In this context, they addressed the practical issues related to the delivery of the Russian vaccine against coronavirus, after it will pass all stages of testing and get the authorization of international institutions.

The Russian premier expressed Russia’s intention to come up with a non-refundable financial support in the form of humanitarian aid to partially cover the damage incurred by farmers in Moldova, who have suffered as a result of this year's drought. To this end, the Ministry of Finance has opened a treasury account on which financial resources will be accumulated from Russia and other foreign partners of Moldova.

At the same time, Mihail Misustin assured Chicu that Rosspotrebnadzor will continue the activities necessary to expand the list of Moldovan companies entitled to export to Russia.

The sides approached the evolution of the negotiations for contracting the Russian credit worth 200 million euros, money provided in the state budget for 2020 to cover the budget deficit. They agreed to finalize the final aspects of the agreement in the next period, so as to be signed in the shortest time.

The officials also discussed issues related to car and air transport. Chicu thanked his Russian counterpart to unblock car transport by granting authorizations for the international transport of goods.

They agreed that the representatives of the relevant institutions of the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, together with the representatives of Moldova Gaz and Gazprom to find a solution in this regard.

The officials also addressed other issues of strategic Moldovan-Russian importance, agreeing to continue the dialogue at the forthcoming summit of heads of government of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, in which the Republic of Moldova has observer status.