Russia, Moldova fail to reach agreement on lifting trade sanctionsJuly 6, 2016 - 10:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A top Russian official discussed lifting Russian trade sanctions on the former Soviet republic with Moldovan officials on Tuesday, July 5, but no immediate agreement was reached, the Associated Press reports. Deputy Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin met Moldova's Economy Minister Octavian Calmic for talks focused on resuming trade. Russia placed a ban on Moldovan wine, fruit and vegetables after Moldova signed an association agreement with the European Union in July 2014. Calmic said the two sides established what needed to be done to "elaborate the strategy for commercial trade," which fell short of Moldova's desire to get the trade sanctions lifted. Calmic said the two discussed energy issues and the trade embargo. Moldova relies on Russian gas. Before the 2014 embargo, 90 percent of Moldovan apple exports went to Russia. Since then, Moldova, a mainly agricultural country, has exported its apples to Egypt, Jordan, Belarus and Romania, AP says. Moldova and Russia have been at odds over the pro-Russian region of Trans-Dniester, which broke away from Moldova in 1990. Some 1,500 Russian peacekeepers and troops are stationed there. Rogozin headed to Trans-Dniester on Tuesday evening and will return Wednesday to Chisinau for more talks. Signaling ongoing tensions with Russia, students protested at the airport before Rogozin's arrival, holding a banner saying: "Out with the Russian Army!" In May 2014, Rogozin was stopped at the airport in Moldova's capital as he attempted to bring back a petition with signatories from Trans-Dniester calling for Moscow to recognize the region. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Ameriabank named Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance Ameriabank has been named the Best Bank in Armenia by Global Finance magazine in its 31st annual awards. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. |