Chisinau hosts first meeting of EU-Moldova trade, sustainable development sub-committee

Chisinau, 7 July /MOLDPRES/- The first meeting of Moldova-EU Trade and Sustainable Development Sub-Committee was held in Chisinau today. The event was co-chaired by Moldovan Deputy Economics Minister Octavian Calmic and EU Deputy Head of Unit of Trade and Sustainable Development, Generalised System of Preferences Nikolaos Zaimis.

The sides exchanged information about the commerce and sustainable development. They also discussed achievements recorded in enforcing the provisions of the agreement and the next actions due to be taken.

Calmic highlighted the importance of implementing the Moldova-EU Free Trade Agreement for the business environment from the country and highlighted the positive results in the export to the EU market. Since the signing of the agreement, statistic data shows a 16-per cent rise in export, and 80-per cent grain shares were turned to good account in 2015. At the same time, the quota of export to the EU market stood at 64.6 per cent in the first five months of 2015, and of import from EU - 47.7 per cent.

For his part, Zaimis welcomed that the effects of signing the agreement had been felt in a relatively short time. He added that, as usual, real results were registered only in the first year after the entrance into force of the free trade agreement.

The sides tackled the importance of the civil society's involvement in enforcing European provisions in the sustainable development and trade, taking into account the impact on environment, social and economic sphere. At the same time, the officials adopted two decisions setting the procedural rules and experts' list on commerce and sustainable development within the sub-committee. 

On 8 July, the subcommittee will organise a common forum of dialogue with the civil society EU-Moldova, dedicated to the trade and sustainable development, in the context of implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

(Reporter A. Mardare, editor A. Raileanu)