Moldova, Turkey might sign agreement for cutting roaming tariffs

Chisinau, 26 January /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu in Ankara has had a meeting with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Șentop. The two parliament speakers referred to the situation in the region, following the unleashing of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Igor Grosu highlighted the biggest problems faced by Moldova for this reason.

According to the parliament’s communication and public relations department, Igor Grosu said that Moldova made efforts to maintain peace and order in Moldova and to edify a strong economy and a state which values and protects each citizen. ‘’Turkey plays an important role in the process of negotiations and the finding of peaceful solutions of ceasing this unjust war of Russia in Ukraine.’’ the parliament speaker said.

In the context of the world energy crisis, the Moldovan parliament speaker stressed that Turkey’s experience in this field can be an example for Moldova and its authorities are set to cooperate in this sector as closely as possible. ‘’The current governance is interested in identifying as many as possible projects on diversification and on energy efficiency, in order to no longer depend on the providers which use the energy resources on political purposes,’’ Igor Grosu said.    

As for the boosting of the parliamentary diplomacy, Parliament Speakers Igor Grosu and Mustafa Șentop discussed bilateral projects and namely on the line of the specialty parliamentary commissions, as well as within the Moldovan-Turkish friendship group.   

At the discussions, Igor Grosu reiterated that Moldova was interested in fostering the commercial exchanges with Turkey and investments’ attraction, as Turkey is a quite important commercial partner for Moldova. The parliament speaker noted that, despite all crises, Moldova must continue improving its business environment, as the development of businesses means more jobs, higher incomes and more resources for the country’s budget. According to statistics data, in late 2022, the trade exchanges between the two countries reached one billion dollars and for 2023, this figure is to grow through the increase of the quotas of export of Moldovan fruits and wines, joint projects in the energy sector, infrastructure and constructions.     

The parliament speaker emphasized that, following discussions at a visit by Speaker Șentop to Chisinau in last September, the bilateral agreements on the mutual conversion and recognition of driver’s licences and the agreement on the reciprocal creation of cultural centres and their activation entered into force. In the context, the officials agreed on the initiation of another accord, which will bring immediate benefits felt by the citizens of both countries and which will regard the cutting of the roaming tariffs. ‘’An important number of Moldovan citizens annually visit Turkey, both on business purposes, and especially on the one of leisure and this would be an auspicious instrument for them and not only,’’  Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said.       

Another subject of discussion was the one dealing with the situation in the Gagauz Autonomy. Speaker Mustafa Șentop specified that the ethnic Gagauz represent a bridge between Moldova and Turkey. He noted that the Turkish authorities  would continue making efforts for the region’s development and investing in education projects on the studying of the Gagauz and Romanian languages, so that ‘’they feel as connected to Moldova as possible.’’ Igor Grosu voiced hope that a College would be soon inaugurated in Comrat, with Turkish investments, which will be a true model of education institution for young people.     

A parliamentary delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, pays an official visit to Turkey on 25-27 January. The delegation is made up of lawmakers Fiodor Gagauz, Radu Marian, Sergiu Lazarencu and Larisa Novac.    

Photo: Parliament