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Activity of Public Institutions

Parliament
Government
Presidency

About salaries and productivity by Iurie Gotisan

Activity of Public Institutions

Parliament

1.1. Appointments

Deputy Gheorghe Musteata was excluded from the Party of Communists of Moldova (PCRM). Musteata became lawmaker in April 2005 and he was the first secretary of the Soldanesti district party committee. It was not explained why he was excluded from PCRM.

1.2. Legal acts

Law on auditing. The law establishes a legal framework on activity of auditing societies, individual auditors and regulates the exercising of profession of auditor by competent persons. The new regulation fits the international and community standards in the field and it was worked out with the participation of representatives of institutions concerned.

Law on activity of clerks of law courts. The document is part of a package of acts on judicial reform and commitments toward the Council of Europe and it aims to regulate the status, activity and competences of clerks in civil and criminal cases as assistants of magistrates.

Law on conversion of debts of the Chisinau-based stock society Crop Products Enterprise into shares. The law stipulates the conversion of old debts in the amount of 6,976,149 lei of the enterprise toward the state budget and 54,684,600 lei toward the Ministry of Finance for credits from foreign sources into state shares, accordingly to the situation on April 1, 2006. The old crediting debts will be converted into shares of the additional issue and will be used to increase the registered capital of the stock society Crop Products Enterprise, administrated by the state-owned enterprise Moldresurse.

Law on modification of the law on retirement pensions. Under amendments, the insured person who was member of the People’s Assembly of the autonomous territorial unit Gagauzia for at least 4 years, retired and confirms the general fee pay duration, holds the right to a pension of 75 percent of the amount of all monthly pays of the lawmaker in the permanent remunerated office in the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.

Laws on modification of legal acts on pharmaceutical activity. It specifies competences of the Drug Agency in ensuring the integration and/ or authorisation of drugs, other medications, as well as competences of the Health Ministry in allowing the importation of drugs and other medications. A series of amendments refer to obligation of applying the automatic record information system and sanctioning pharmaceutical activities held outside of this system, incomplete or/ and wrong use of this automatic system, voluntary changes, failure to present reports in due terms, sale or/ and presence of drugs without latent band in stock.

Draft law on accounting. The document approved in the first reading aims to establish a legal framework, single requirements and a mechanism of regulating the accounting and financial relations in Moldova, in compliance with international and community standards in the field. Provisions of this law will extend on all individuals and legal entities who act as entrepreneurs, non-commercial organisations including public institutions, notaries, lawyers and their offices, as well as on representations and branches of non-resident enterprises registered in Moldova, regardless of their field of activity, form of property and legal form of organisation.

Draft law on modification and completion of the law on publishing and enforcement of official acts. The document stipulates the publishing of a resume of ECHR judgments on Moldova in Monitorul Oficial within one month after they become definitive.

1.3. Parliamentary control. Statements

Questions and Interpellations

Christian Democratic Deputy Stefan Secareanu has appealed to the Government and Prosecutor-General’s Office to ensure respect for rights of residents of localities from the left bank of the Dniester River controlled by constitutional authorities of Moldova. Secareanu described the previous answers as formal and asked the competent institution to file penal cases against persons who admit abuses and illegalities toward Moldovan citizens. Also, he sought information about penal cases filed against representatives of the self-proclaimed Tiraspol authorities.

The lawmaker representing the Party of Social Democracy of Moldova, Iurie Bolboceanu, has asked the Government to report on housing of combatants and internally displaced persons from the Transnistrian region.

National Liberal Deputy Vitalia Pavlicenco has asked the Tax Inspectorate to report on existence of a person in Moldova who gained the first billion dollars.

Democratic Deputy Vladimir Filat has appealed to the Prosecutor-General’s Office to report on cutting of a forest in the town of Durlesti.

National Liberal Deputy Anatol Taranu has asked the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Reintegration to report on a recent visit of Yuri Zubakov, deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, to Chisinau, including on proposals made by the Russian envoy to Moldovan authorities regarding the tackling of the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

Christian Democratic Deputy Valentina Serpul has asked the Prosecutor-General’s Office to prevent intimidations against future electoral competitors who turned down proposals of the Communist Party to bid on lists of this party. Serpul invoked the case of a mayor of a commune in the district of Hincesti, who has recently joined the Communist Party after six penal cases had been filed against him but prosecutors did not deliver them to law court unlike cases of other mayors, which the prosecutor’s office examines and promotes operatively.

Social Liberal Deputy Igor Klipii has asked the Government and decision makers to report on "actions that undermine Moldova’s statehood" invoked in a recent statement by Moldovan Government.

Our Moldova Deputy Leonid Bujor has appealed to the Government to present ample information on demographic situation in Moldova and measures taken by executive to urgently improve the state of things in the field.

Statements

Communist Deputy Mihail Mocan has read a statement describing the vehement criticism of opposition lawmakers against congratulations on occasion of "the homeland defenders day" (on February 23) as an inadequate reaction.

The National Liberal Party has released a statement themed "Manifest – Appeal on Imperative of National Solidarity," which seeks the creation of a state union Republic of Moldova – Romania and conduct of bilateral actions in the field.

The parliamentary faction representing the Our Moldova Alliance has released statements on:

• Extension of political control on Moldovan mass media, accusing the Party of Communists of Moldova (PCRM) and the Christian Democratic People’s Party (PPCD) of exercising some abusive influences, which affect the independence and reformation of mass media;
• Harassment of opposition representatives by members of the parliamentary coalition of PCRM and PPCD during selection of candidates for general local elections.

Government

2.1. Appointments. Reshuffles

The executive has dismissed the deputy director of the Custom Service, Anatolie Barbarosie, and the deputy chief of the Border Guard Service, Anatol Gorila, without making public the reasons.

The Government accepted the candidacies raised for the post of Moldovan judge to the European Court of Human Rights. The three candidates selected by a special governmental commission are:^[1]

• Moldovan Ambassador to France Victoria Iftodi, former minister of justice;
• Victor Orindas, judge of the Economic Court;
• Judge Lilia Vasilevici.

2.2. Decisions

Decision approving the national programme on promotion of a healthy lifestyle for 2007–2015. The document does not establish the cost of implementation and does not allocate concrete resources needed for this purpose, and the executive established only that the actions stipulated by this programme will be funded in the limit of means foreseen in the state budget, budgets of administrative territorial units, mandatory health insurance funds and contributions of international organisations, donations and grants.

Decision on extension of some facilities for Transnistria-based economic agents. Under amendments operated by executive, the Transnistria-based economic agents may obtain goods origin certificates under preferential conditions, even if they are temporarily registered with competent bodies of Moldova.

Decision on building of the high-pressure branch gas pipe Balti-Ungheni. The gas pipe will have branches in the districts of Singerei, Falesti and Telenesti, with the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure being appointed as beneficiary. The stock society Gazproiect will carry out the feasibility study and projecting as "single institution that holds a licence for projecting of gas pipe lines."

Decision approving the action plan on consolidation of farm land. The document stipulates measures for 2007, monitoring of implementation by a special council. Independent experts outline that decisions and actions taken in this field are spontaneous and unmotivated, noting that the executive has demanded the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Academy of Sciences just in the recent decision to propose the "inclusion of the scientific argumentation of the farm land consolidation process among issues of research."

Decision on allocation of funds. The Government has obliged the Ministry of Finance to allocate 40.5 million lei from general incomes of the state budget^[2] to district councils, the Balti Municipal Council and the Administrative Territorial Unit Gagauzia to "arrange the cities during the bimonthly ecological campaign" (by one million lei on average). The decision also stipulates that local public authorities who will demonstrate a maximum efficiency in using the funds to arrange the cities during the bimonthly ecological campaign will receive another one million lei "from Government" to continue these works.

Decisions approving some draft laws:

• concerning traffic security;
• concerning the Border Guard Service;
• concerning industrial parks;
• on modification of the Election Code.

2.3. Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Concerns with situation of agriculture

Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev has convoked a republican conference on situation of agriculture and preparations for spring agricultural works. According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, about 370,000 hectares were seeded last autumn, while winter temperatures did not affect the cereal crops and vineyards. The executive will continue subsidising some agricultural activities in 2007 in order to sustain the agriculture, and their number will be extended (the development of ecological agro-food production and planting of nut trees will be sustained). A special fund is operating to repay the value-added tax for the purchase of agricultural machines. The prime minister asked the Ministry of Agriculture and local authorities to speed up the measures needed to work all farm land. The Ministry of Finance and district subdivisions of the State Tax Inspectorate were told to unblock the accounts of farmers, so that to be able to hold the spring agricultural campaign operatively. The premier paid a special attention to functioning of the anti-hail system, noting that at least one million hectares of farm land will be protected this year.

The prime minister has told a sitting on optimisation of the system of procurement of agro-food products that the existing procurement system will be radically improved in order to implement a more efficient and transparent mechanism. Vasile Tarlev sought an efficient mechanism for collection of agro-food products from producers directly, in order to ensure the needs of budgetary institutions working in education, healthcare sectors, social protection, etc., systems. Under indications, competent institutions will work out within one month a concept on improvement of the system of procurement of agro-food products and a plan on collection of this production, especially in rural sectors. At the same time, the prime minister noted that the products purchased for needs of public institutions must correspond to quality and price parameters.

Presidency

3.1. Decrees

President Vladimir Voronin has recalled Eugen Carpov from post of head of the Diplomatic Mission of Moldova to the European Commission. No reason was made public.

The chief of state has awarded the Labour Glory order to Mihail Martinenco, judge of the Supreme Court of Justice.

The chief of state has signed decrees on negotiation of a visa facilitation agreement between Moldova and the European Community and negotiation of an agreement on readmission of illegal migrants between Moldova and the European Community.

3.2. Sittings, Decisions. Statements

Meeting with members of the Constitutional Court

Participating in the ceremony of awarding identity papers to new judges of the Constitutional Court, the chief of state has reiterated the idea to allow citizens to appeal to the court. According to a press release, citizens should hold this right "when they do not agree with judgments." Vladimir Voronin noted that a working group headed by Deputy Speaker Maria Postoico was recently created to draft amendments to legislation aimed to help national courts resolve the problems and prevent the appeals upon international justice.^[3]

College of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce

The president said that "all economic policies and their implementation depend much on the Ministry of Economy and Commerce" and its role must grow in continuation. Speaking about main directions of economic activity, Voronin specified the obligation of building a "social state" and noted the essential role of the ministry in accomplishing the European integration goal. Voronin called upon ministerial specialists to speed up the implementation of the second stage of the "guillotine law" for an essential liberalisation of economic activities. The minister of economy and commerce said in a report presented at the sitting that the ministry forecasts a 5-percent growth of Gross Domestic Product for 2007, compared with 4 percent in 2006, as well as the reduction of inflation rate down to 10 percent, compared with 14.1 percent in late 2006. As regards the foreign trade, the ministry forecasts a 19-percent rise and predicts that imports will grow by 17 percent in 2007.

New sitting on combat of corruption in education sector

Vladimir Voronin has chaired a new sitting on combat of corruption, but it focussed this time on a study regarding situation in higher education sector, worked out by unknown authors "at the initiative of the Presidency." Rectors of educational institutions were told that the study "has demonstrated a major danger faced by state’s morality," revealing that corruption prevails in all fields of higher learning: in studies, distribution of rooms to students in hostels, issuance of diplomas, renting of free rooms in buildings of universities, etc. Responsible persons misused the authority, abused of influence, gave and took bribes, etc., in all these fields. According to the chief of state, institutions of higher learning admit many incapable students who cannot find jobs after graduation because of a very big difference between their successes at university and professional competences. The corruption in high schools developed in 2006, when the regulation on admission on basis of average mark of baccalaureate examinations was accepted. Also in 2006, students with very low average marks were admitted at institutions of higher learning in detriment of many candidates with much higher marks. Voronin noted that corruption acts involve many students, porters, guardians. According to the study, this situation is linked to very low salaries of professors, exaggerated materials that students must learn, imperfect curricula, as well as social mentality manifested by wish to raise many material means. The chief of state sought a higher number of professors in institutions and introduction of information systems in the examination and evaluation process as solutions to these problems. Rectors of institutions of higher learning will have to work out and table action plans against corruption in their institutions by April 10, 2007 and they will be implemented in institutions after a survey by international organisations.

Economic Policies

1. Inflation and prices

Prices tend to grow…

An inflation rate of 0.7 percent was registered in February 2007, while the cumulated rate for two months of this year was 1.6 percent. Tariffs of services provided to population rose most – by 1.3 percent, followed by prices of manufactured goods – by 0.7 percent, and of food products by 0.4 percent. The tariffs of drinking water providing services rose by 14.7 percent, while the gas deliveries via centralised networks cost by about 5 percent more than in January. At the same time, lower prices were registered in the period concerned for eggs (by more than 11 percent), sugar (by more than 4 percent due to overproduction and small sugar exports), pork (by more than 3 percent), beef, etc.

2. Real sector

Optimism of authorities for 2007…

Following the 2006 industrial recession, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce forecasts a 9-percent growth of industry for 2007. Data on industrial production in 2006 reveals a 6.9-percent decline compared with 2005. Situation of Moldovan industry is strongly influenced by activity of processing enterprises, which covered 88.6 percent of overall production made by big companies with main industrial activities last year. However, the production volume of this industrial branch has dropped by 8.5 percent and influenced the decline of total production volume.

In addition, the production volume of the food and drink industry, which holds the strongest share in processing industry, was by 9 percent smaller in 2006 than in 2005. The suspension of wine exports to the Russian Federation stopped the bottling of wines. Therefore, the wine production decreased by 50 percent compared with 2005 and this state of things reduced the general index of industrial production by 9.5 percent. The production of distilled spirits makers has declined by about 40 percent for the same reasons.

Authorities also forecast a 7-percent growth of agricultural production for 2007. For example, the agricultural production of all categories of farms was estimated at 13.7 billion lei (about 1.05 billion dollars) in 2006 and it count for 95 percent of the production registered in 2005, or it decreased by 5 percent. The vegetal production holds the major share in structure of agricultural production, notably 66 percent of all agricultural production, while the animal production covers 34 percent.

3. Foreign trade

Exports are on the decline at beginning of year…

Moldovan exports rose by over 10 percent in January 2007 and totalled 73.7 million dollars. The rise was mainly due to growth of exports to the European Union (E.U) by about 40 percent. At the same time, Moldovan exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States dropped by 31 percent in January 2007. Exports of textiles and items, vegetal products, food products, drinks and tobacco, machines and appliances, electric devices, etc., rose in January.

Surprisingly, exports of Moldovan goods and services to Romania rose 1.6-fold in January 2007 compared with the same month of 2006, in spite of pessimistic forecasts about a possible decline of commercial inflows between the two countries. Romania received 16.8 percent of all Moldovan exports and covered 11.4 percent of imports, ranking the first place among Moldova’s main export partners.

The imports were valued at 197.3 million dollars, by 39 percent less than in December 2006 and by about 41 percent more than in January 2006. Imports of goods from E.U. rose 1.5-fold, while imports from CIS grew by about 23 percent compared with January 2006. The trade deficit of Moldova rose 1.7-fold, as exports declined by about 39 percent in January 2007 compared with December 2006, up to 123.6 million dollars.

4. Business environment

Government focuses on investments…

The improvement of investment climate seems to be a basic priority of the Government in 2007. In particular, a draft law on industrial parks, which will be delivered soon to the executive to approve it, the draft law on private public partnerships and the draft law on mortgage credit are expected to help accomplish this goal. The draft law on mortgage credit was worked out and it is being discussed with the bank community in order to be raised to the Government.

In addition, the Government intends this year to create a single database on foreign direct investments (FDI) in Moldova. For example, FDI estimated at about 205 million dollars were registered in Moldova in 2005. In 2006, the rise pace of investments in fixed capital was higher than of GDP. Investments in fixed capital registered a record of 9.58 billion lei (731.3 million dollars or about 22 percent of GDP) for the first time in this period and rose by 17 percent compared with 2006.

5. Labour market

Nor the situation on labour market is best…

According to the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS), economically active population (employed population plus job seekers) of Moldova count for 1,346 million people in late 2006. An analysis of the structure of population employed on age groups reveals that people between 25 and 54 years count for 74.5 percent. It was established in assignment on activities in national economy that about 33 percent of employees worked in agriculture. Workers in industry count for 12.6 percent, trade and hotels – 16 percent. At the same time, employees in healthcare and education sectors count for 15.3 percent.

On the other hand, more than 75,000 job seekers were registered in Moldova in late 2006 accordingly to standards of the International Labour Organisation. According to NBS accounts, 43 percent of all job seekers were unemployed for at least 12 months, while more than 24 percent of them were youths between 15 and 24 years old. At the same time, people declared as working or seeking jobs abroad count for about 334,000 persons or more than 21 percent of the active population of at least 15 years old. About 66 percent of those declared as departed to other countries were men. People from rural localities who were declared as departed to other countries also count for 66 percent.

Transdnistrian Problem

Transnistrian party-building: a new or well-forgotten past?
Maxim Kuzovlev, 18 March 2007

A building boom was observed in Transnistria last year. In particular, political parties were built. The boom slowed down much this year. Perhaps the winter is the cause? Or the number of parties per capita is already enough?

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Foreign Affairs

Republic of Moldova – Council of Europe

The Government approved on March 7, 2007 the candidacies raised by a special commission to the post of Moldova’s judge to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The candidates selected among 13 persons are: Victoria Iftodi, former minister of justice and Moldovan ambassador to France; Victor Orindas, judge of the Chisinau Economic Court; Lilia Vasilevici, judge at the Centru Court of the Chisinau municipality. Under existing procedures, these three candidacies will be raised to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The PACE will select one of the three persons within 2.5 months. According to experts, these persons were not selected under a strict procedure and they would not be the best representatives of Moldova to the ECHR, while Lilia Vasilevici, in her quality of judge of the Centru Court of Chisinau, has even made some decisions that the Strasbourg-based Court condemned.

The ECHR sentenced Moldova on March 13 in the case Castravet vs Moldova. Applicant Andrei Castravet has complained to the ECHR that he was jailed without enough and relevant reasons and he could not see his lawyer under confidential conditions. The applicant was held without reasons at the Preventive Detention Facility of CCCEC for a long time and the meetings with his lawyer took place in a room with glass walls that separated them. The ECHR obliged Moldova to pay 2,500 euros to the applicant in non-pecuniary damages and 2,000 euros in costs and expenses.

On March 16, the special representative of the CoE secretary-general to Moldova, Vladimir Ristovski, presented the priorities of the CoE in relations with Moldova in 2007 and made the totals of cooperation in 2006. According to Moldpres, Ristovski reported a considerable improvement of quality of national legislative reforms in the past years, stressing the importance of implementing legal regulations. The CoE representative outlined the need of CoE surveys on all national normative acts, noting that not all documents of this kind are examined by this institution and recommended Moldovan authorities to consider suggestions by CoE experts, adding that many of them are ignored.

Republic of Moldova – European Union

The special representative of the European Union (E.U.) to Moldova, Kalman Miszei, was on his first visit to Chisinau in the period concerned after his assignment to this office and met President Vladimir Voronin, Speaker Marian Lupu, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan.

The talks focussed on activities linked to Moldova’s course toward European integration and recent developments in the "Transnistrian case’. As regards the first topic, the sides discussed the negotiation of a facilitated visa regime with the E.U.; the opening of the Joint European Visa Issuance Centre in Chisinau on April 25; activity of EUBAM; awarding of Autonomous Trade Preferences and future relations between Moldova and E.U.

It is worth to note in this context that President Voronin signed on March 15 a decree on start of negotiations for signing of a visa facilitation agreement between Moldova and the European Commission. Earlier, the chief of state was unsatisfied at a news conference, at which he made the totals of 2006 that the visa facilitation negotiations did not begin in 2006. He warned the Government that he could show a "red card", generalising his dissatisfaction with the pace of the European integration process.

The 5th meeting of the EUBAM Consulting Council took place on March 13. It evaluated the activity of EUBAM in the first months of 2007, studied how customs and border guard services of Moldova and Ukraine meet the recommendations of EUBAM and approved the action plan of

EUBAM for February-November 2007. EUBAM head Ferenc Banfi appreciated the activity of the mission, noting that the best progresses were achieved against illegal border crossing, in the field of development of the risk analysis system and cooperation between customs and border guard services of Moldova and Ukraine. The basic tasks from the plan of EUBAM for February-November 2007 include the improvement of functioning standards of customs and border guard services, of risk analysis structures and intensification of the joint border control.

Republic of Moldova – Romania

Tensions between Moldova and Romania have deepened in the period covered by this issue of the journal Governing and Democracy in Moldova. The relations between the two countries worsened after Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has accused Romania and the Chisinau Government released later a statement replying some of the criticisms revealed by the head of state.

President Voronin said on March 3 during the Maxima programme aired by TV channel NIT that: (a) the Republic of Moldova has been imposed Romanian standards both from outside and inside for many years; (b) Romania itself should implement the standards that it is recommending, particularly on respect for rights of national minorities; (c) Moldova does not need Romania as an "advocate" on the European integration route; (d) Moldova wants good neighbourhood relations with Romania based on equality and respect in bilateral relations and without Romania’s interferences in affairs of the Chisinau authorities.

The statement by Moldovan Government resumes some opinions of President Voronin and hints that the Chisinau executive is troubled by how Bucharest regards the problem of awarding the Romanian citizenship to Moldovans and by Romania’s initiative to open and coordinate a Joint European Centre to issue E.U. visas. The Moldovan Government describes as groundless the arguments of Bucharest regarding its concerns for Moldova’s European future and Romania’s false attitude as regards its intention to assume the role of coordinator of the mentioned centre. In this context, it noted that "Moldova does not accept the future of its citizens to be the object of some double and dangerous backstairs games, which undermine the national security and the principles of statehood for what Moldovan citizens had sacrificed themselves." Under these conditions, Moldova calls on understanding and support of its European and international partners "to influence the return of Romanian interests to good neighbourhood relations and understanding, to a true European spirit."

Replying to accusations of Moldovan authorities, Romanian President Basescu said that "Romania will not change its policy on Republic of Moldova. We do not have what to adjust as long as we respect the standards of democracy, the human rights, the history, and the neighbours." As regards the dispute around the problem of awarding the Romanian citizenship, the Romanian president noted that the new law on citizenship will be consulted with the European Commission, so that its provisions not to affect the interests of other E.U. members.

Minister of Administration and Interior Affairs Vasile Blaga has reconfirmed at a joint sitting of the commissions for foreign policy of the Romanian Parliament that there are about 500,000 applications of Moldovans for Romanian citizenship and noted that there could be approximately 900,000 individual applications for citizenship, as many letters were written by whole families. Blaga underlined that the E.U. visa issuance centre, which Romania would like to open and coordinate, wants to be an alternative of the similar centre that will open in the diplomatic representation of Hungary in April and the potential of the first centre could exceed the 10,000 visas which the centre under Hungary’s auspices could issue to Moldovans a year.

The statement by Moldovan Government followed an announcement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan on March 8, 2007, when he said that Moldova considers that two Romanian consular offices should not open in Balti and Cahul any longer. It is worth to note that Presidents Voronin and Basescu agreed on opening of these centres at a January 16 meeting in Chisinau. Under an agreement of the two presidents, the centres should open in maximum ten days after their meeting. On March 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration delivered an official note to the Romanian Embassy in Chisinau, warning that the Moldovan authorities withdraw the previous note which allowed the opening of temporary offices of the Romanian Embassy in Balti and Cahul.

Republic of Moldova – Ukraine

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Veselovsky was on a two-day visit to Chisinau on occasion of the 15th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Moldova and Ukraine. The Ukrainian official met his Moldovan counterpart Eugenia Kistruga and discussed the bilateral relations and prospects of developing them in future.

On this occasion, the Ukrainian Embassy has appreciated the evolution of relations between the two countries and noted that Moldovan-Ukrainian commercial exchanges have grown more than two-fold in the past five years and Ukraine ranked the first place among Moldova’s trade partners in 2006.

Republic of Moldova – Russian Federation

Certain progresses were achieved in the Moldovan-Russian relations in the period concerned. In particular, the fruit and vegetable exports to the Russian Federation have restarted and a team of Russian experts inspected Moldovan wineries for resumption of wine exports to the same destination.

Moldova resumed the fruit and vegetable exports to the Russian Federation on March 6, 2007 after a two-year break. Under agreements, Moldovan fruits and vegetables will be exported via a customs station in Briceni and exporters will have to present contracts with Russian importers to customs officers. Domestic producers will be allowed to export fruits and vegetables of 2006 crop only from March 6 to April 6, 2007. As regards the 2007 crop, it will be necessary that a new Russian expert mission extend the export permits.

A group of Russian experts of Rospotrebnadzor visited Moldova to inspect wine plants on March 12–17. Group head Boris Bokitko said that a report will be worked out after controls and it will be delivered to the Rospotrebnadzor administration in order to make decisions on further actions.

Elsewhere, Moldova warned the Russian Federation at the March 8 session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna that uncoordinated visits of Russian officials to the Transnistrian region and the unauthorised activity of Russian consular functionaries in Tiraspol contravene to the status of mediator of this country.

Republic of Moldova – Belarus

Minsk has restricted the importation of bottled wines from Moldova after Chisinau decided to stop the exportation of wines in bulk to Belarus. We recall that Chisinau made this decision in the context of efforts to resume the wine exports to Russia. Competent bodies of Russia raised dissatisfaction that Belarusian economic agents were re-exporting bottled wines imported from Moldova in bulk to the Russian market, as wine deliveries to the Russian Federation are restricted.

Statistics reveal that Belarus is the third market for Moldovan wines after Russia and Ukraine. Belarusian importers bought Moldovan spirits worth 36 million dollars, including bottled wines worth 16.5 million dollars and wine in bulk worth 16.2 million dollars in 2006.

Studies, Analyses, Comments

About salaries and productivity
Iurie Gotisan, 18 March 2007

Speaking about the preliminary macroeconomic forecasts for the next three years, the Government has recently promised that the medium monthly nominal salary on economy will grow 1.6-fold in 2008–2010, up to 3,250 lei in 2010

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