
Stepan Kubiv: The trade turnover between Ukraine and Moldova has increased by almost 35% in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016
On September 19, Odessa
hosted the 14th meeting of the Mixed Ukrainian-Moldovan Intergovernmental Commission
for Trade and Economic Cooperation under the co-chairmanship of the First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine/Minister of Economic
Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and
Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova Octavian Calmâc.
During the meeting,
the parties discussed the issues of strengthening trade and economic partnership
between Ukraine and Moldova, cooperation in the fuel and energy complex,
implementation of infrastructure projects, border cooperation, as well as collaboration
in the environmental protection, research and development, transport, industry
and agro-industrial complex.
"The trade
turnover between Ukraine and Moldova has increased by almost 35% in the first
half of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. It demontsrates
the intentions and potential of developing our joint opportunities,"said
Stepan Kubiv opening the
meeting.
He emphasized the
importance of Ukrainian-Moldovan initiatives in the direction of European
integration, primarily in energy, technical regulation, development of the
digital economy, etc.
"Significant
contribution to the development of bilateral economic relations between Ukraine
and Moldova should eventually become the application of the preferential rules
of origin of the PEM Convention (A Regional Convention
on pan-Euro-Mediterranean
preferential Rules of Originin)
in bilateral trade relations. Certainly, after the procedure of Ukraine's
accession to this important instrument of regional cooperation will be
completed," said Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of
Ukraine, Trade Representative of Ukraine Natalia Mykolska,
adding that the Republic of Moldova enters TOP-20 perspective markets for
Ukrainian exports according to Export Strategy Project experts' findings.
Apart from the economic issues, the parties focused on energy projects. Stepan Kubiv noted that it is crucial to continue the the construction of 330 kv high-voltage line Novoodesska - Artsyz to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the southern regions.
"We also invited Moldova to join the CESEC initiative for the transportation of natural gas in reverse and direct mode. We’ve agreed to develop a joint action plan on the integration of Ukrainian and Moldovan energy systems with the continental grid of Europe ENTSO-E. This will allow the country to disconnect from the energy systems of Russia and Belarus," said Stepan Kubiv.
Also during the
meeting, it was agreed to revitalize work on joint border checkpoints, expert
groups will be involved to complete the preparation and signing by the end of
2017 of the draft Intergovernmental Agreement on joint control of persons,
vehicles and goods in joint checkpoints at the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border.
On the outcomes
of the meeting Stepan Kubiv
and Octavian Calmâc signed the Protocol, which contains
the results of the event and determine the key priority directions to be
followed by the two parties in the near future.