Moldova Needs To Discuss Goods' Export, Gas Tariffs, Migrants With Russia - President

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) Moldovan authorities need to discuss export of goods, gas tariffs and migration with Russia, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Thursday.

"Export, gas tariffs and migrants are three topics that are extremely vital for Moldova. A lot will depend on the future government, Russia should trust it, which is why, I can openly say that some problems may occur if there are no Socialists in the parliamentary majority or the Cabinet of Ministers," Dodon told the NTV Moldova broadcaster.

He added that if the new government consisted of those who would be ready to cooperate with Russia, it would pave the way to new discussions about gas price reduction. It comes extremely necessary regarding an upcoming decline of Russian gas transit through Ukraine that will happen in eight months, the president emphasized.

According to Dodon, the elimination of customs duties is still operating for certain categories of Moldovan goods but this will end on July 1.The Moldovan president stressed that Russian experts are welcomed to check how the agreements are being respected at the end of March.

Migration issue is also relevant as the period of the amnesty granted by Russian authorities to Moldovan citizens has already expired while hundreds of thousands of Moldovans are still living and working in Russia with their rights to be protected.

As a result of the election that took place on February 24, four parties won parliamentary mandates in Moldova's general elections. The Party of Socialists, which is supporting Dodon and close cooperation with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, gained 35 mandates. The pro-European ACUM bloc got 26 mandates, the Democratic Party secured 30, and the SOR Party - 7, the Central Election Commission stated. Besides, three independent candidates also joined the parliament.

As none of the parties managed to secure the parliamentary majority in 101-member Moldovan parliament, a new coalition must be formed in order to create a new government.