Tiraspol, January 19. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Farmers from Moldova, using land plots in the Dubossary Region of Pridnestrovie, demand a meeting with the political representative of the Republic of Moldova Oleg Serebryan.
They are concerned about the adjustments recently adopted in Pridnestrovie to the customs clearance of imported goods and exported crops. Now farmers of the Republic of Moldova carry out export-import operations in full compliance with the customs code of Pridnestrovie.
Previously, they benefitted from preferential treatment for the import of agricultural machinery, seed and planting material, fertilizers and fuel, as well as the export of crops. Only statistical records of the goods they carried were kept. Now they will have to pay according to the tariffs established in Pridnestrovie on an equal basis with all economic entities of the PMR.
The Power of Farmers Association stated that it “does not feel sufficiently involved” on Serebryan’s part in resolving the situation which Moldovan farmers found themselves in after the ill-considered introduction of customs duties against Pridnestrovian people. Farmers of the Republic of Moldova also demand to develop a compensation mechanism and urgently discuss the problem with Tiraspol.
In response to a request from “Novosti Pridnestrovya”, the PMR Foreign Ministry responded that the issue of land use has not been raised by the Moldovan side at the meeting of political representatives and, accordingly, has not been discussed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie is also ready to discuss the topic of land use in the Dubossary Region if a request is received from the political representative of the Republic of Moldova Oleg Serebryan.
“Despite the restrictive measures of the Republic of Moldova in various areas and the systematic violation by the Moldovan side of the Protocol Decision on Land Use, Pridnestrovie considers the document valid and implements its provisions, ensuring farmers’ access to land plots on the basis of previously issued certificates. If, within the framework of future meetings, Mr. Serebryan nevertheless comes up with an initiative to discuss the topic of land use in the Dubossary Region of the PMR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready for such a dialogue,” the Foreign Ministry responded to a request from “Novosti Pridnestrovya”.
On January 1, Moldova unexpectedly began to levy customs duties on goods from Pridnestrovian companies. Economic agents of the PMR actually fell under double taxation. The duties go to the budget of Moldova, which is not connected with the social system of Pridnestrovie. According to preliminary data from the State Customs Committee of the PMR, damage to Pridnestrovie could amount to $16 million a year. One of the consequences of these duties will be an increase in prices.
