Moldova sets record in ratifying EU association agreement / Russia defies Moldova’s EU pact by boosting Transnistria trade

Moldova ratified on the 2 July 2014 its EU association agreement, which had signed on the 27 June 2014 on the occasion of the June 2014 EU summit. However, the largest force in parliament, the pro-Russia Communists, boycotted the vote.

As a reaction, Russia decided on the same day to intensify its ties with the Russian-speaking enclave of Transnistria, stating that tying Moldova closer to the EU had violated the rights of the people in the former Soviet republic's breakaway region.

On the 18 July 2014, Russia imposed a temporary ban on Moldovan fruit imports, adding to an already existing ban on wine imports, the measures being seen as a punishment for Moldova’s signature and ratification of an Association Agreement with the EU.

• Primary Source

ITAR-TASS, 02.07.14: Moldova’s parliament ratifies Association Agreement with EU http://en.itar-tass.com/world/738694

Deutsche Welle, 02.07.14: Moldovan parliament ratifies agreement with EU http://dw.de/p/1CUmN

RIA Novosti, 02.07.14: Moldova Parliament Ratifies EU Association Agreement http://en.ria.ru/world/20140702/190785427/Moldova-Parliament-Ratifies-EU-Association-Agreement.html

ESO: Background information: The EU's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/signing-ceremony-of-the-association-agreements-with-georgia-the-republic-of-moldova-and-ukraine-27-june-2014/

EurActiv, 03.07.14: Russia defies Moldova’s EU pact by boosting Transnistria trade http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/russia-defies-moldovas-eu-pact-boosting-transnistria-trade-303263

EUObserver, 03.07.14: Russia retaliates against Moldova's EU treaty http://euobserver.com/foreign/124860

EurActiv, 22.07.14: Russia imposes ‘temporary ban’ on Moldovan fruits http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/russia-imposes-temporary-ban-moldovan-fruits-303625

The Moscow Times, 18.07.14: Russia Bans Fruit Imports From Moldova http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-bans-fruit-imports-from-moldova/503751.html

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