Russian President Speaks of Positive Changes in Relations between Russia and Moldavia

In opening the Russian-Moldavian negotiations in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that during the six months that had passed since the presidential elections in Moldavia "positive changes have taken place in relations between our two countries." According to the Russian President, this is connected, among other things, with the fact that Moldavia is resolving its economic problems, and the living standards in the country are going up. The Russian President said that the President of Moldavia Vladimir Voronin informed him of a planned increase in pensions and wages in the republic. Vladimir Putin also said that today the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and Moldavia would be signed. According to the Russian President, the trade between the two countries in the last eight months has increased by fifteen percent.