Moldova withdraws from international sugar agreement

Chisinau, 20 July /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova withdraws from the International Sugar Agreement, concluded in Geneva in March 1992. At the same time, Moldova’s membership in the International Sugar Organization (ISO) will end. The parliament has adopted a draft law containing these provisions in the second reading.       
The Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (MAIA) says that the analysis of the tendencies of development of the sugar production branch, current stocks of sugar, as well as consultation of the business environment’s opinion are at the basis of the decision to withdraw from the Agreement.   
More exactly, among the reasons which generated the initiation of the withdrawal from the International Sugar Agreement, there are the diminution, in the last years, of the area of lands planted with sugar beet, as well as of the volume of sugar processed in Moldova; impossibility to participate in plenary meetings of ISO Council; obligation to periodically prepare and deliver ample statistics reports on the production and processing of sugar beet, which implies administrative and staff expenses.       
Also, Moldova has repeatedly asked for the decrease in the sum of annual membership due, which is to to be paid by the country – a request which was not accepted by the International Sugar Council. For this year, the sum of the membership due is of 140,000 lei (7,000 euros).   
According to MAIA, Moldova’s withdrawal from the aforementioned Agreement will have no domestic consequences, at the bilateral, regional or multilateral levels and will not create hindrances at the conclusion of treaties.   
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