Moldovan PM says expects 'as productive as possible' visit to Moscow
CHISINAU. Sept 27 (Interfax) - Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu has confirmed that she will visit Russia before the end of the year.
Speaking on the television channel RTR-Moldova on Friday evening, Sandu denied media assertions that the visit was originally planned for September 12 but was called off.
"The visit is planned, and it will take place. We are working on this to make sure that the visit is substantive and productive," Sandu said.
She said she planned to discuss customs fee exemptions for some Moldovan goods exported to Russia, the Transdniestria settlement process, and Russian gas deliveries to Moldova after January 1, 2020.
Sandu said these issues were addressed at a session of the Moldovan-Russian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic cooperation and at her meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak the previous week.
"We had a constructive conversation. Mr. Kozak assured me that Russia is not discussing Transdniestria settlement without our participation and that no federalization is under consideration. The Russian deputy prime minister also said it was 95% certain that Russia and Ukraine would agree on the transportation of Russian gas across Ukrainian territory. We will continue discussions, but we do want the visit to be as concrete and productive as possible," Sandu said.