At the end of March, the Government of the Russian Federation intends to present to the State Duma information about the economic sanctions that could be applied against the Republic of Moldova. Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshcinin informed Russian MPs about this on Friday, Interfax reports.

According to the Russian official, “the Government of Russia tackled the State Duma’s addressing very seriously, this being a very important document that provoked reactions in Moldova as well.” “All Duma’s suggestions are very serious and important, that is why they require a profound analysis and processing. Ministries of Economy and Agriculture have already advanced their suggestions, and we expect proposals from the Ministry of Industry and Energy. We are examining what economic levers Russian Government can apply against Moldova, taking into account its unfriendly position towards Russia,” mentioned Loshcinin. At the same time he underlined that Russian Government will act resulting from Russia’s interests, interests of the Russian businessmen and according to the legislation in force.

As concerns the introduction of visa-entry regime for Moldovan nationals, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have a certain position, states the Russian official. He mentioned that the introduction of such a regime will affect not only the interests of Moldovan citizens but of the Russian citizens who live in Moldova as well, and also the interests of the Russian military men.

For the time being, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not work out a final document on the basis of the suggestions of the State Duma, but it will be drawn up very soon and submitted for examination to the Russian Government, and at the end of March it will be presented to the Duma, mentioned Loshcinin.

Previously the State Duma sought from the Russian Government to introduce economic sanctions against Moldova. To stop the import of Moldovan wine and tobacco, to export Russian oil and gas to Moldova at world prices and to introduce visa-entry regime for Moldovan nationals are among the measures suggested by the State Duma to the Government.

It should be mentioned that Moscow wants to adhere to the World Trade Organization (WTO), but the statute of this organization, to which Moldova belongs already, envisages that a member state of the WTO or one that stands for adhesion cannot impose economic sanctions against other member states.