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Moldova highly appreciates friendship with and cooperation with Belarus and is interested in expanding the partnership. The statement was made by Mr Andrei Popov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, at the opening of the Belarusian Auditorium in the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM). The opening ceremony was part of the events timed to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Belarus-Moldova diplomatic relations, BelTA has learned.

Andrei Popov remarked that Moldova was grateful to Belarus for the aid rendered in times of need. He reminded that after Russia banned the import of Moldovan wines in spring 2006, Belarus became the only outlet for Moldovan winemakers by buying large volumes of Moldovan wines and cognacs. Belarus helped preserve the winemaking industry, which is the key industry for Moldova. The official underlined that Belarus had become the largest importer of Moldovan wines among all the countries and imports twice as much Moldovan wines as the entire European Union.

Andrei Popov underlined Belarus’ important contribution to the restoration of Moldova’s industrial potential thanks to the implementation of joint projects for the assembly of Belarusian trolleybuses as well as horticultural and winemaking tractors in the republic. At present about 30,000 Belarus tractors are used by the Moldovan agriculture while over 100 Belkommunmash trolleybuses are employed in Chisinau.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova underlined the considerable increase in Belarus-Moldova trade. He remarked that in 2011 Belarus-Moldova trade exceeded $300 million, nearly 30% up from 2010. Matters concerning the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will be discussed at a session of the Belarusian-Moldovan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in Minsk in late November. Participants of the session will discuss the progress in implementing existing projects, new ones will be outlined, and bilateral agreements will be signed. The official pointed out the progressive development of Belarusian-Moldovan relations and said he hopes the fruitful partnership between Belarus and Moldova in various areas will be enhanced.

Speaking about his personal impressions of Belarus and Minsk, Andrei Popov mentioned the beauty, cleanliness, and the good condition of cities and towns, the well-developed infrastructure, the unique buildings of the National Library and the Minsk Arena as well as other installations that have become trademarks of Belarus./BelTA/