Popșoi: Transnistrian Conflict Resolution Vital for Moldova's EU Accession
The Transnistrian region will not pose an obstacle to the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union. However, concurrently, authorities in Chisinau will endeavour to resolve the Transnistrian conflict before the nation becomes a member of the community bloc.
This declaration was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi during the Moldo-American Convention forum.
Popșoi, the head of Chisinau's diplomacy, emphasised the government's commitment to extending the same opportunities to citizens residing on the Left Bank of the Dniester River as those on the right bank in their journey towards European integration. Nevertheless, economic agents will be required to pay equal taxes for the export of goods.
"We will strive to ensure that, within the accession process, individuals from the left bank of the Dniester River can avail themselves of all that the European Union offers. However, it will not be a repetition of the situation in 2014, when we received minimal reciprocation despite offering full benefits of the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement," declared Mihai Popșoi. "As evidenced since January 1, customs duties have been implemented, and all taxes borne by economic agents will also be levied. Nonetheless, this will be executed in a manner that avoids excessive economic strain on the left bank of the Dniester River."
As of January 1, amendments to the Customs Code have been enforced, obliging economic agents from the Transnistrian region to pay import taxes akin to other companies in the Republic of Moldova.
This measure has elicited criticism and discontent from Tiraspol. In response, Tiraspol has imposed customs duties on Moldovan farmers in the Dubăsari district who possess land along the Camenca-Tiraspol route.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
