The Supreme Rada of Ukraine today ratified the Agreement on Free Trade with Moldova signed yet in November 2003.

Then document will begin working only Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This event is expected to take place before the end of 2005.

According to the Moldovan National Bureau of Statistics, Ukraine is Moldova's second biggest trade partner (after Russia), and maintains lead in exports to this republic. In 1Q2005, imports from Ukraine had soared by over 40 percent. Ukraine accounts for almost 45% of Moldova's negative trade balance.