The European Union Council has formally endorsed an agreement granting Moldovan farmers and SMEs additional preferential export opportunities to the EU, according to a press release of the European Commission. 

This follows the agreement reached on 11 July this year, between the EU and the previous government of the Republic of Moldova, led by Ms Maia Sandu, to broaden the degree of trade liberalization for specific agricultural products under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

The Republic of Moldova will be granted additional duty-free tariff rate quotas to export table grapes (of double the current amount) and plums (of a 50% increase on the current volume), as well as a new duty-free quota for cherries (of 1.500 tonnes). As part of the agreement, EU producers will also have more export opportunities, as the EU will gain additional duty-free access to the Moldovan market. Moreover, the thresholds triggering the anti-circumvention mechanism for wheat, barley, maize, sugar and processed cereals have also been raised, taking into account the trade patterns over the last few years.

The deal demonstrates the EU’s commitment to Moldovan citizens and businesses, and the opportunities and benefits offered by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).These revisions are in the context of the third year review of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement. The EU completed this review in response to the sustained efforts made by Ms Sandu’s government to implement reforms under the DCFTA. The EU encourages the Republic of Moldova to continue the implementation of these needed reforms in the spirit of our Association Agreement.

Before it can enter into force, the agreement will have to be approved by the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration (ACTC).