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.