Moldova not ready to leave alliance with Russia

The information was given by Moldova's Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea in a recent interview with Moldova's general television channel Jurnal TV when asked about the expected losses if Chinisau actually leaves.

“Many will suffer, like cherry producers, plum producers… We have 14 agricultural agreements within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS, or CIS). We will then need to sign bilateral agreements with the CIS member states where we export our goods,” said Bolea.

The Moldovan minister cited Ukraine as an example. The government there, like Chisinau, has declared a move towards the EU, but has not abandoned the CIS. “Today we even work with Ukraine on the basis of CIS agreements. We have no other export agreements,” Bolea said.

“Every decision that politicians make, no matter how good it seems, must take into account people and businesses… What should we do with thousands of independent farmers, with those who bring cherries to Russia? First, create some new opportunities for them. If something is not needed, it will disappear by itself,” the Moldovan official pointed out.

According to the minister, to reorient supplies to the EU, Moldovan farmers will need to invest millions of euros in calibrating and cooling fruit.

Two young people wearing Moldovan and EU flags are seen in the centre of the Moldovan capital Chinisau, May 2024. Photo: Balkan Insight

Earlier, the Moldovan government announced plans to cancel 119 of the 282 agreements the country had signed within the CIS framework. Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said that Chisinau has no intention of abandoning any important agreements for the country.

One of Europe’s poorest countries, Moldova faces economic and social challenges that have been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With a population of just 2.5 million, Moldova has taken in more than 1 million refugees from Ukraine since March 2022.

While the situation remains volatile and figures are uncertain, as of December last year, around 115,000 Ukrainian refugees remained in the country with less than a quarter of them (26,000 refugees) receiving EU Temporary Protection Status.

While the Government of Moldova continues to support refugees, the crisis has placed additional demands on the country's already limited resources.

Moldova under the “pro-Western” government of President Maia Sandu has been moving closer to the EU. Chisinau, along with Kiev, applied to join the 27-member bloc in March 2022, and both Moldova and Ukraine received EU candidate status in June 2022.

In the latest development, EU countries have agreed to start accession talks first with Ukraine and then with Moldova in Luxembourg on June 25. The start of the talks will still only start the two former Soviet states on a years-long reform process before they can finally become members.

Minh Duc (According to TASS, AFP/France24, Relief Web)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/moldova-chua-san-sang-roi-nhom-dong-minh-voi-nga-a669559.html