Moldova intends to intensify trade and economic cooperation with France and attract new French investors
This was announced by Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popşoi during a meeting with the new French Ambassador to Moldova, Dominique Waag, who recently started his work in Moldova. During the discussions, Mihai Popşoi praised the dynamism and activity of the Moldovan-French bilateral relations, which are realized through numerous bilateral visits, partnerships and projects in strategic fields of the national economy. In this context, he commended the outcome of the ministerial conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform and the visit to Chisinau by French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne. The officials also discussed Moldova's European path and France's consistent support in this respect. From the viewpoint of the future actions needed for Moldova's accession to the EU, the sides emphasized the importance of the intergovernmental conference to open the accession talks in June this year. At the same time, the sides discussed the possibilities to boost Moldova's economic and trade cooperation with France and to attract new French investors to Moldova. Other topics discussed included the consolidation of cooperation and partnership between the educational institutions, as well as the joint fight against disinformation and fake news. At the same time, the sides held a consistent exchange of opinions on the regional and international situation, discussed the events in the two states, including the appointment of a new government in France, as well as the elections and referendum in Moldova. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, Moldovan exports to France in 7 months of 2024, compared to the same period last year, decreased by 20.9% - to $21.12 million, while imports from France increased by 3.3% - to $131.37 million. The negative trade balance of Moldova and France in January-July this year amounted to $110.25 million, which is 9.8% more than in the same period a year earlier. // 01.10.2024 - InfoMarket
