Chisinau looking for ways to upgrade railway, port infrastructure to transit Ukrainian grain - Moldovan President Sandu

MOSCOW. Aug 18 (Interfax) - Chisinau has offered its help with the transit of Ukrainian grain since the start of the crisis and is currently trying to find a solution that would help Kiev while at the same time being acceptable to Moldovan farmers, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.

Speaking of the situation surrounding Ukrainian grain exports, Sandu described it as "a complicated subject."

"We are trying to find a solution. We're discussing the matter with Ukraine, Romania, and the European Commission to see how we can meet the interests of Moldovan farmers while at the same time facilitating this grain transit from Ukraine. We must help Ukraine, which is ensuring our peace now," Ukrainian media quoted Sandu as saying in an interview with RFI.

Moldova will be trying to find the best solution for both sides, and one of them could possibly be quick investments in the transport and port infrastructure to increase its throughput capacity for this period, Sandu said.

"We want to increase our exports, we want to develop our infrastructure, and we can do that, in particular, owing to the European Union's resources," she said.

Moldovan farmers lacked export opportunities even before the Ukraine crisis, Sandu said.

"I have to admit that Moldova's railway and port infrastructure is not developed enough. As these large amounts are coming from Ukraine now, the situation has complicated," Sandu said.

As reported, Moldova is cooperating with Romania, Ukraine, and donor organizations to upgrade its railway infrastructure and tracks to step up Ukrainian agricultural exports.