Moldova abolishes customs and ecologic taxes for Pridnestrovie's businesses

Pridnestrovie's MFA: This is an effective result of the "small steps" policy and indisputable confidence building attempt

As is reported by the MFA's press service, today EugenCarpov, Moldova's Chief Negotiator on Pridnestrovian settlement, has informed Pridnestrovie's foreign office that  some blockade restrictions (export and import excise taxes, as well as environmental fees, ed.) have been abolished for the Pridnestrovian economic agents, thus satisfying Pridnestrovie's demands.

According to Pridnestrovie's foreign minister, the necessity of abolishing discriminatory rules, imposed by Moldova on Pridnestrovie's businesses back in 2006, was first put on the agenda at Dublin's round of the 5+2 Talks .

Export and import clearance has cost $14 million over these years; the money could have gone to technical modernization of enterprises, growth in production, or material encouragement of employees," Nina Shtanski said in the interview with journalists.

As for the environmental tax, Pridnestrovie brought its abolishment into focus back in 2009.

"The environmental tax, levied from our enterprises since 2008, cannot be reasonably explained. Since these enterprises are located in Pridnestrovie,  the tax should have been returned to improve ecological situation here. Meanwhile, since 2008 the tax has been paid in the amount of more than $700,000," the minister pointed out.

The decision to abolish some blockade measures is regarded by Pridnestrovie's MFA as a collective success for the both sides of the negotiation process. However, the MFA notes that the blockade burden has been alleviated by no more than 5%,  and the sides still have got some work to do.

"This is an effective result of the "small steps" policy and an indisputable confidence building attempt," concluded Nina Shtanski.