The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a meeting of the co-chairs of the Russian-Moldovan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation

Topical issues of interaction between RUSSIA and Moldova were discussed today at a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. From the Russian side, it is headed by the Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev, from the Moldovan side, by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicolae Popescu.

November marks twenty years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. According to Dmitry Patrushev, our country is determined to continue the traditionally benevolent and effective cooperation. Russia also expects the Moldovan side to maintain a balance in relations with the European Union and the EAEU.

In the current year, there has been an increase in trade turnover. According to the results of nine months, it exceeded $1.3 billion. In particular, the HEAD of the Ministry of Agriculture drew attention to the positive dynamics of mutual trade in agricultural products and food - an increase in indicators was noted both in exports and imports.

As the Minister noted, it is necessary to increase the potential in this area, including through interaction in the field of safety and quality of food products. In this regard, an important step is the signing of an agreement on cooperation in this area. The work on the document is carried out by Rospotrebnadzor and the National Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Moldova.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of energy were also considered. The heads of the intergovernmental commission agreed to work out the possibility of signing an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the energy sector in the first quarter of 2022.

Another important aspect of cooperation is the joint counteraction to the spread of CORONAVIRUS infection. “Let me remind you that Russia handed over Sputnik V vaccines, as well as test systems, to Moldova. In addition, a visit of Rospotrebnadzor specialists to the republic was organized. We are ready to continue to assist the republic in the fight against coronavirus, as well as other infectious diseases. In particular, an appropriate Memorandum of Cooperation is currently being developed. Given the difficult situation with the pandemic, we consider the document to be extremely relevant,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

In addition, the Republic of Moldova is one of the promising markets for domestic industrial products, including agricultural machinery, equipment, vehicles, and metals.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to hold a full-scale meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in the 1st quarter of 2022 in Moscow.

Press Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia