Prime Minister Pavel Filip and European Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, had today, March 31, 2017, a meeting on the sidelines of the third meeting of the EU-Moldova Association.

According to a release, the talks between the two officials focused on the situation on trade between Moldova and the European Union regarding the implementation of the Association Agreement. During the meeting, Pavel Filip thanked for continued support for the development and implementation of the Free Trade Area, including the implementation and monitoring mechanisms associated with it, noting the importance of intensifying trade between Moldova and the European Union.

"We count further on the support of European partners to encourage recovery opportunities offered by free trade area. We managed to extend these benefits to businesses across the country, including the Transnistrian region. In addition to strictly commercial advantages, it is important the impact of implementing the Free Trade Area for the daily life of citizens," said Pavel Filip.

In turn, the European Commissioner for Trade appreciated the increase of Moldovan exports to the European market, encouraging the authorities to continue reforms for Moldova to fully benefit from the opportunities of Free Trade Zone. In the context of using the quotas on export of certain strategic EU market, Moldovan Prime Minister Filip and Commissioner Malmström discussed the prospect of their growth.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Pavel Filip invited Cecilia Malmström to participate in the event "Business Week" which will take place in Chisinau.

The European Union is the main trading partner of our country, with a share of around 65% for export and 50% for import. Last year the number of companies involved in trade with the EU has increased and the volume of goods exported to the EU market increased by over 9%.