Russian Government Preparing Proposals on Revision of Trade with Moldova

Chairman of the Government of Russia Mikhail Fradkov has requested a number of Cabinet ministers to draw up proposals on possibilities to revise the existing trade and economic relations with the Republic of Moldova. Today, Russian State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov told journalists in Moscow he had had a telephone talk with Premier Fradkov who informed the Speaker about a special governmental consultative meeting concerning possible sanctions against Moldova. Earlier, the legislature offered to the government to consider the expediency of imposing diplomatic and economic sanctions against Moldova in response to the continuing economic blockade of Transnistria by the official Chisinau. Namely, the deputies meant to possibly introduce a visa regime between the two countries (except for Transnistrians), to cease importing wines and tobacco from Moldova (except from Transnistria) and to charge international prices on natural gas supplied to this republic (except to its Transnistrian region).