Today, the OSCE Office in Kishinev hosted a meeting between Political Representatives of Pridnestrovie and Moldova Nina Shtanski and Yevgeny Karpov. During the meeting the participants discussed a large number of issues, many of which were urgent.
As a matter of priority, the Pridnestrovian side initiated a discussion on implementation of provisions of the Protocol record of February 19, 2014 following the results of the meeting of expert (working) groups on economic issues with participation by political representatives. We remind that Protocol record provided for initiation of the “cancellation of import excise for the goods imported by Pridnestrovian economic agents within a month.” According to the political representative of Moldova Yevgeny Karpov, corresponding draft law was initiated by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and submitted by the RM's Parliament in the first reading.
The RM's Representative also indicated that the draft law initiated by the Government of the RM provides for cancellation of environmental tax collected from the Pridnestrovian business entities, as well as, payments for freight customs clearance. We remind that prospects for cancelation of these duties were actively discussed during the meeting of the Permanent Conference on Political Issues and expert (working) groups in recent years. The Pridnestrovian side waits for the outcome upon examination of the draft law in the second reading which according to Yevgeny Karpov, will take place on April 3-4, a.c.
The Political Representative of Pridnestrovie Nina Shtanski in her comments during the briefing expressed satisfaction of the very fact that the given initiative had been submitted to the Parliament of Moldova, however, she noted that the excise had not still been cancelled, this fact may prevent the Pridnestrovian side from attending the next negotiations. “Today, we have received assurances that the draft law is expected to be adopted in the second reading on this Thursday or Friday. If it is carried out, there will not be any obstacles to continue our communication in the 5+2 format on the target dates, and I hope that we can meet next week in Vienna. If for any reason the Moldovan side does not fulfill its obligation, obviously, we will have to continue our work here, on-site. What I heard today, nevertheless, gives me reason for some optimism,”- said she.
