Moldova's EU Integration No Risk to Relations With Russia: Prime Minister

MOSCOW, November 27 (Sputnik) — Moldova is set to develop its relations with the European Union, but hopes that this will not negatively affect its relationship with Russia, Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca told RIA Novosti.

"We have a goal – European integration. And this should in no way lead to a deterioration of relations with Russia. I believe that European integration will help us become a more predictable partner," Leanca said in the interview.

"I hope we can overcome this difficult stage, because the Russian market is really important for Moldova and we will continue holding a maximally open dialogue with our Russian colleagues," he stated.

According to the prime minister, Moldova's agreement with the European Union might make it a better partner also for Russia, as it is "not just about free trade", but rather a "large-scale project to reform our economic system, product certification system, public procurement, investment climate".

"Our institutions are not working as they should and we must end this practice," he added.

On September 1, a law imposing duties on imports of certain Moldovan products to Russia, including wine, meat, vegetables, grain and fruit, came into effect.

Russia cited fears of duty-free European goods gaining access to the Russian market as the motive for introducing the law, following Moldova's signing of a free-trade agreement with the EU on June 27. Moldova also has a free-trade agreement with Russia through the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).