Moldova, Russia for closer economic ties

Moldova and Russia are determined to step up bilateral commerce and economic partnership, Alexei Gordeyev, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, said in Chisinau, Moldovan capital, as he was summing up a 7th session of the bilateral intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation.

The conferees took stock of implementing previous decisions, and analysed partnership in power and other industries, farming and transport. The agenda included disputable issues of settling mutual financial claims on the former USSR's domestic currency debt to Moldovan-based juridical persons. The session also discussed Moldova's compliance with debt payment pledges to Russia. There were a few other items on the agenda, as well.

As Moldova's President Vladimir Voronin was receiving Mr. Gordeyev today, he called to step up talks on bringing down prices for gas imported from Russia. The Moldovan authorities are willing to analyse Russian offers to reschedule payments for part of Moldova's gas arrears.

The negotiators exchanged information about the agricultural situation in the two countries. They spoke up for closer farming partnership, with an emphasis on meat livestock breeding and farm produce processing.