On Monday, June 26, the Commission for International Trade of the European Parliament voted to extend the suspension of taxes and import quotas on products exported from Moldova to the EU by one year. Moldovan economists and MEPs have welcomed this. Moldovan economic expert Stas Madan has stated that the EU’s decision was predictable in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Madan: “It is undoubtedly a long-awaited decision for our producers, especially those of plums and table grapes; exports to the EU markets have grown significantly in recent years, and we have achieved an export performance that exceeds the existing duty-free [EU] quotas.”
MEP Siegfried Muresan, president of the EU Association Commission-Moldova, added: “A permanent liberalization, as opposed to the temporary suspension of taxes and import quotas, will provide more predictability on the Moldovan market, which will thus be able to attract more important investors.”
Before the decision in force expires on July 24, 2023, the European Parliament will vote in plenary on the proposal. If it passes, the new measure will help Moldovan farmers affected by the war in Ukraine who can no longer export goods to Russia or Ukraine.
In 2022, the EU suspended import duties and raised quotas for seven Moldovan product categories subjected to tariff quotas: tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums, and grape juice.
Source: balkaninsight.com