Moldovan leader says Russian gas price hike, wine ban not political
Infotag news agency
11 Jul 06
Chisinau, 11 July: Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin does not
believe that Russia’s decision to increase the price for gas supplied
to Moldova is politically motivated.
[Russia has increased the gas price for Moldova from 80 dollars per
1,000 cu.m. in 2005 to 110 dollars in the first six months of 2006
and then to 160 dollars starting from 1 July 2006.]
Speaking at a news conference in Chisinau today, Voronin said: "We
indeed do not see politics behind Moldovan-Russian energy supplies
relations. Russia has changed its position on gas supply with regard
to all countries without exception – Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia
and Armenia. Trying to see here something exclusively anti-Moldovan
means nothing but incompetence. If we joined the Russia-Belarus union
tomorrow, which in fact is impossible, then the gas price for Moldova
will not decrease."
According to him, "the situation is different when it comes to Russia’s
embargo on Moldovan wine".
[Russia banned imports of alcoholic beverages from Moldova in late
March 2006, citing sanitary requirements.]
"However, even here the exception confirms the rule. Even though
Moldova has not yet received any official documents proving the low
quality of our produce, it is also very difficult to see politics
behind this decision. Look, at present the Russian market is
practically closed to wine exports from all over the world. In fact,
a wine embargo was imposed on Georgian, French and Chilean wines,"
Voronin said.
He said that "if we are called an independent state, then we must
be independent".
"As regards wine exports, then [we should] rely on other criteria, we
should proceed from quality and look for new markets. Maybe one day we
will thank Russia for helping us diversify the market," Voronin added.