The Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting of PMR Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev with EUBAM Head Slawomir Pichor.
The unjustified imposition of customs duties by Moldova on Pridnestrovian economic operators was the major topic.
The PMR Foreign Minister stressed that Moldova’s new restrictions resulted in double taxation and became an additional burden for Pridnestrovian business. He characterized the repressive measures by Moldova as an element of economic warfare.
“We have agreements with the Moldovan side, which have been violated. We have a special mechanism of trade with the EU, which is also grossly violated due to the imposition of these destructive measures. We have implications that show a drop in trade and economic turnover with European countries,” Vitaly Ignatiev said.
The situation in the economy of Pridnestrovie is complicated by the bank blockade, which has created obstacles for obtaining preferential certificates, including for trade with EU countries. As a result, the PMR foreign trade turnover is significantly declining, tax revenues are reduced and a budget deficit is formed. Inhuman acts of economic aggression by Moldova violate the rights and freedoms of people living in Pridnestrovie, the diplomat claimed.
In the course of the discussion, the blockage of exports of the PMR industrial enterprises, as well as the restriction of imports of medicines and medical equipment for Pridnestrovian medical institutions were raised. The Foreign Minister urged EUBAM to help ease tensions and normalize economic interaction.
“I am addressing you as a mission that deals, among other things, with the issues of cross-border cooperation and trade and economic interaction, to make efforts to prevent further escalation of the situation. So as to ensure that people’s rights and interests are not infringed, since the economy is the basis. Business should enjoy free conditions to grow, not be artificially restricted,” Vitaly Ignatiev said.
The sides separately discussed the transport issue. The Foreign Minister spoke in favor of the swift resumption of the Vehicle Registration Offices’ operation in Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, in line with the 2018 Protocol Decision. He also emphasized the inadmissibility of restricting the movement of Pridnestrovian-registered vehicles on the Moldovan territory, given the content of the 2015 EUBAM technical opinion and the agreed mechanism of the VRO.
