Top EU official says Moldova has potential to enhance presence on European market

Chisinau, 18 December /MOLDPRES/- Acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca met European Commissioner for Commerce Cecilia Malmstrom in Brussels on 17 December. The two officials discussed the effects of the new trade regime established between Moldova and EU, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

“I am glad to see the first positive results of the opening of the European market for Moldovan products. It is important that Moldova makes full use of export contingents on the European market and diversifies the sales markets. We expect more farmers to feel the advantages of the Free Trade Agreement”, the EU official said.

The sides also touched upon a decision by the European Parliament, which approved a resolution on opening of the EU market for more apples, plums and grapes from Moldova. Thus, the European Union will allow tax free import of 40,000 tons of apples, 10,000 tons of grapes and 10,000 tons of plums from Moldova.

In this context, Leanca thanked for the constant support from Commissioner Malmstrom. “The enforcement of the Free Trade Agreement and enhancing competitiveness will be priority for the new government, so that the quality of the concerned products should not differ from the one of other European goods”, the official said.

In last September-October, the first two months of temporary entrance into force of the Association Agreement, a significant increase in exports was ascertained on the European market. Thus, the export of wine increased by 26 per cent, cereals by 77 per cent, apples – 2.7-fold, plums – 8.1-fold and grapes -5.8-fold. The destination countries were Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Estonia and Spain.

In 2010, Cecilia Malmstrom was appointed as Commissioner for Home Affairs, and as of 1 November 2014, she has been acting for trade.

Iurie Leanca is on a  two-day official visit to Brussels to meet more European commissioners, as well as new President of the European Council, former Polish Premier Donald Tusk. Today, Leanca is going to attend a Summit of the European Popular Party.