Moldova prepared for free trade with Russia, Chisinau believes

"Moldova is prepared for free trade with Russia," Moldovan Prime Minister Vasily Tarlev stated to a RIA Novosti correspondent Wednesday.

Commenting on the Moldovan side preparations for talks with Russia on the elimination of restrictions on free trade between the two countries Tarlev underscored that at the meeting between Moldovan and Russian experts scheduled for September it is expected to set the shortest term for their elimination and determine specific export shares of Moldovan products currently excluded from the free-trade regime.

Noting the priority of Moldovan-Russian relations the premier said that the growth of Russian investments in the Moldovan economy is being observed of late.

"We realise that the value of investments, including from Russia, depends on Moldova's ability, on the one hand, to multiply and use its advantages and potentials to the maximum extent, while, on the other hand, to compensate for shortcomings and lower risks, which potential investors would take upon them," Tarlev indicated.

The premier believes that Moldova has all the grounds to become a "transit corridor" between East and West.

"We are the only country of Southeastern Europe disposing of a free access to the markets of CIS and Romania," Tarlev said. "The Ukraine-Romania regional market alone is capable of servicing 80 million consumers."