Dodon: Moldova Wants to Expand Cooperation with the EAEU

Moldova considers participation in new integration projects such as the EAEU as a priority and a good opportunity to diversify its economic ties and export markets for Moldovan goods and services, said Igor Dodon, speaking at an expanded meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, aif.md reports. “Moldova has an interesting experience that may be of interest to the EAEU Member States. Moldova has been implementing a free trade agreement with the EU for 5 years and this happens simultaneously with the existing free trade agreements with the CIS countries, the Balkan countries and Turkey. We can share with this difficult but valuable experience,” he said. The President expressed hope that sooner or later negotiations will begin between the EAEU and the EU on the creation of a large free trade zone between these large international organizations. In this regard, Igor Dodon thanked the leadership of the Eurasian Commission and especially the former Minister for Integration and Macroeconomics, now holding the position of Director-General of the United Nations at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya, who very carefully and pragmatically promoted the idea of a single economic space of greater Eurasia. “We support the idea of concluding such an agreement, which would be a major breakthrough in promoting the concept of creating a united Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok. Moldova is a European state which is geographically and geopolitically at the center of these processes,” he said. Igor Dodon also talked about significant changes that have occurred in the political life of our country. The President told the participants that for the first time in 28 years of the recent history of the Republic of Moldova, political forces with different programs, ideologies and foreign policy priorities created the ruling majority and the government. “These processes were supported by an unprecedented geopolitical consensus between the main external partners - Russia, the EU and the U.S.A. There have been created auspicious domestic political opportunities to promote proper economic and structural reforms and a balanced foreign policy. We will cooperate and develop mutually beneficial relations with all our partners, both from the West and from the East, based on our national interests, and do not intend to participate in geopolitical battles on the side of one against the other, ”the head of state emphasized. At the same time, Dodon noted that Moldova intends to work more closely with the Eurasian Economic Commission and its working bodies, implement the cooperation agenda with the EAEU on a larger scale, and take advantage of all the opportunities for deepening cooperation provided by the status of an observer country. “Our plans include studying the possibilities for Moldova to participate in the Eurasian Development Bank. We understand the economic benefits that Moldova can get as a result of joining the activities of this structure. This is not only the introduction of new and strategically important investment projects in our country, but also the implementation of joint projects with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. I believe that a detailed study of the Banks activities and meetings with its management will allow us to identify investment projects priority for Moldova and promote the idea of the republic participating in the Eurasian Development Bank. Our plans also include resolving the issue of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the Eurasian Economic Commission. Moldova’s presence of a permanent representative will allow to maintain close contacts with the commission, to quickly receive information related to the development of trade and economic cooperation, customs, technical, sanitary and other regulation. Moreover, Moldova will be able to establish a more constructive dialogue with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union in order to expand trade, investment, and technological cooperation,” he said. In addition, the head of state emphasized that on the whole, there remains positive dynamics in the trade of the Republic of Moldova with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. Last year, trade increased by 10%, in January-July of the current year it has grown by 6%. Moldova has something to offer the markets of the countries of the Eurasian Union, and we are working on this, he said. “At the last meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, I proposed to hold various events in our country, in Moldova. We are ready to technically provide the work of visiting sessions of public receptions of the Eurasian Economic Commission and advisory committees in Chisinau. We are also ready to accept participants in various business events, forums. All this will help to popularize the activities of the Eurasian Economic Union in Moldova, to familiarize citizens of the country and domestic business with the processes of Eurasian integration. Our proposal remains valid – Chisinau welcomes the guests from the Eurasian Economic Commission and the countries of the Union,” concluded Igor Dodon. Point