Today, a meeting of expert (working) groups on economic issues took place in a videoconference format. The Pridnestrovian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development Sergey Obolonik included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the leadership of the Pridnestrovian Union of Industrialists, Agrarians and Entrepreneurs (SPAPP).
Within the framework of the meeting, based on the agreements reached during the October 26 meeting of political representatives, the Pridnestrovian side presented summary data on the losses of the PMR transport agents in connection with the blocked movement of Pridnestrovian transport since September 1 this year. The emphasis was placed on the losses incurred by companies providing services for international passenger transportation (to Ukraine and Russia), as well as cargo carriers engaged in the delivery of goods from Ukraine.
It was stressed that the existing unreasonable restrictions adversely affect the overall economy of the PMR and also provoke a negative social effect. There was also a call to cancel the blockade elements introduced since September 1 and to intensify work on the admission of vehicles carrying out international cargo and passenger transportation to the Vehicle Registration Offices.
In the context of implementing the Protocol Decision on cooperation in the field of veterinary, quarantine and plant protection dated February 15, 2018, the Pridnestrovian side raised problems related to the import of subsidiary goods, taking into account plans to launch the so-called “second phase” of joint customs and border control at the Kuchurhan checkpoint. The parties agreed to hold meetings of field experts on the import of medicines and medical products, as well as veterinary drugs and plant protection products in the coming weeks.
Pridnestrovian representatives stressed the need to find balanced solutions that would preserve the existing economic conditions for agricultural producers of the PMR. The inadmissibility of unilateral steps capable of provoking restrictions on the rights of importers after January 1 next year was indicated.
The parties addressed again the content and technical amendments to the draft Protocol Decision on the Elimination of Technical Barriers to Trade and confirmed their willingness to sign it. At the same time, there remain disagreements regarding the level at which the agreement is planned to be concluded.
The meeting ended with the discussion of the problems of import by large Pridnestrovian enterprises of raw materials needed in the production and technological process and indication of the both sides’ willingness to cooperate in this industry in order to exclude restrictions that may negatively affect the activities of the PMR economic agents.
