Updated 2:09 p.m. Moscow time
MINSK, October 10 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow is ready to search for a compromises and settle differences caused by Moldova and Ukraine’s EU association, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the CIS summit Friday.
“We need to settle the existing differences and find compromise solutions. We think that all members of the free trade zone treaty of the Commonwealth of Independent States are interested in this,” the Russian president said.
Putin recalled that the European Union postponed a free trade zone with Ukraine under the Association Agreement until January 1, 2016 and until that time the emerging problems should be solved.
Moldova and Ukraine signed EU association agreements on June 27. The agreement envisages the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU. The two countries also have free-trade agreements with Russia within the CIS framework.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed deep concern over Moldova and Ukraine's signing of the agreement, saying it would be forced to protect its market once it faces an uncontrolled flow of duty-free goods from the EU.
