Russian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin will arrive in Moldova on Thursday to attend the celebrations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of republic’s liberation from fascism.
Also on the agenda are talks with the country’s leadership on problems of bilateral trade and economic relations.
The delegation includes Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, deputies of Russia’s State Duma and members of Federation Council, officials from Russian agricultural watchdog, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Federal Customs Service.
Members of Russian delegation will lay wreaths at the memorial of military glory in Chisinau on Thursday. They will also participate in other memorial events on the occasion of Moldova’s liberation from fascism, celebrated in the country on August 24.
Rogozin is expected to meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Adrian Candu in the Moldovan capital on Thursday. “The negotiators are expected to discuss Russia’s restrictions on the import of several Moldovan products and Russia’s government decision to cancel the zero rates of customs duties on goods from Moldova starting from September 1,” Russian Ambassador in Moldova Farit Mukhametshin told ITAR-TASS.
Trade rules with Moldova were revised after the republic had signed the free trade zone agreement with the European Union. “Being a member of a free trade zone within the CIS, Moldova has signed unilaterally the treaty with the EU, whereas these agreements do not comply with each other,” Mukhametshin said.
Russia is Moldova’s largest trade partner. In the previous year, the trade between the two countries has made about $1.4 billion. Moldova mainly delivers food products to Russia and imports energy resources.
On Friday, August 22, Russian delegation will visit Transdniestria. Russian officials will attend events devoted to the memory of Soviet warriors who perished in Jassy-Chisinau Operation in 1944 that started the liberation of the Balkans from fascism.
The country’s delegation is also planned to meet with republican Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.