The European Commission is proposing a further tariff and quota-free year for imports from Moldova to the European Union. The provision under the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) would not only extend the current suspension of import duties on Moldovan exports to the EU by another 12 months but also would apply to all remaining tariffs and tariff rate quotas affecting Moldovan imports.
The move underscores the EU’s full support for the Moldovan economy and helps offset some of the difficulties the country’s producers and exporters have been experiencing because of Russia’s unwarranted military campaign against Ukraine.
Additionally, the amended ATM measures allow for possible EU agricultural sector concerns since they include safeguards that can be speedily implemented to protect that market should the need arise.
The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for approval.
Because much of Moldova’s export trade relied on transit through Ukrainian territory and was dependent on Ukrainian infrastructure, it has faced considerable setbacks resulting from Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. The ATMs, introduced in mid-2022, were designed to help Moldova re-direct exports via the EU. Exports to the EU increased from €1.8 billion in 2021 to €2.6 billion in 2022.
Since most Moldovan exports qualify for duty-free access to the EU market under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, the quantities and range of products covered by the ATMs are small.
