EU keen to sign Moldova pact despite Russia threats

The EU plans to sign a political association and free trade pact with authorities in Chisinau in June 2014.

However, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's deputy PM and special envoy on Transniestria, a part of Moldova which broke away in a civil war 20 years ago, told Russian daily Kommersant that if they do, he “will insist on revising economic relations with Moldova”, which is 100 percent dependent on Russian gas.

He added that Moldova should hold elections before signing anything, with the pro-Russian opposition, the Communist party, polling high before a scheduled vote in November 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Closer to the EU: additional funding for Georgia and Moldova http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-closer-to-the-eu-additional-funding-for-georgia-and-moldova/

ESO: Background information: EU-Moldova: Challenges ahead of signing the Association Agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-moldova-challenges-ahead-of-signing-the-association-agreement/

Balkan Insight, 14.05.14: Moldova's Planned EU Pact Upsets Russia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/moldova-to-sign-eu-pact-next-month

Council of the European Union: Press Release, PRES/14/279: Speech by President Herman Van Rompuy at the Palace of the Republic, Chisinau, Moldova http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/142580.pdf

Council of the European Union: Press Release, PRES/14/286: Statement by President Herman Van Rompuy following his meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/142579.pdf

Radio Free Europe, 23.04.14: Tiny Moldova Faces Its East-West Moment Of Truth http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-russia-east-west-moment-truth/25359464.html

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