Host of Moldovan enterprises to undergo checks, receive access to Russian market - Putin
MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - A host of Moldovan enterprises that want to export products to Russia will undergo additional checks by Russian specialists and receive access to the Russian market.
"We reached agreement that a host of enterprises would undergo additional checks by the corresponding Russian structures and I don't rule out - I am almost certain - that the number of enterprises that have the right to supply products to the Russian market will increase," President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following talks with Moldovan President Igor Dodon in Moscow on Tuesday.
He said many Moldovan companies can already export to Russia and their products are being shipped to the Russian market.
Putin also said it was necessary "to proceed from realities, including from the realities of Moldova's domestic political life."
"But we will work with the government and the president. We're ready for this. A great deal will depend on how Moldova will build relations with the European Union, considering the association agreement between Moldova and the EU that has been signed and entered into legal force," Putin said.
There "are certain risks here" for Russia, he said. "They are similar to the risks that we faced after the signing of corresponding documents between Ukraine and the EU," Putin said, adding that Russia has always spoken about this in a fairly well-reasoned way with its partners in the CIS and EU.
Russia currently prohibits imports of certain fruit and berry products from Moldova, including apples, pears, cherries and nectarines. The ban was imposed after Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor repeatedly found violations of phytosanitary requirements in shipments of Moldovan products. In addition, products from countries subject to Russia's food embargo might have been shipped to Russia under the guise of Moldovan products.
In addition, Russia imposed restrictions on imports of live pigs and pork products, genetic materials of pigs, all types of raw materials and hunting trophies obtained from animals susceptible to African swine fever (ASF), and wild boar meat as of October 6, 2016 due to an outbreak of ASF in Moldova.
