OREANDA-NEWS. August 08, 2014. The economic comments of the Independent analytical center note that after a number of measures of non-tariff character, which blocked the imports of Moldovan wine, canned food, meat, fruit, Russia first applied restrictive tariff measures in relations with Moldova. According to the expert Denis Cenusa, non-tariff measures related to quality and safety of Moldovan products were initiated after the initialing of the Association Agreement with the EU and these measures may be temporary.

However, cancellation of the "zero tax" for Moldova has hidden risks which can cause chain reaction and have much more serious consequences than expected today. The expert believes that all the countries that intend to sign or signed a free trade agreement with the EU, will suffer the same fate as Moldova, and the Moldovan case is a warning to other countries and Ukraine in particular. Moreover, the negative effects will not only affect the trade of Moldova with Russia, but with the other countries of the Customs Union.

Russia is likely to insist on the principle of solidarity and will require this decision to be taken by all countries of the Customs Union. Therefore, we can expect the abolition of the "zero duty" in respect of Moldovan goods from Belarus and Kazakhstan. At the same time, Belarus, which opposed the establishment of tariff barriers for Moldovan wines, Ukrainian potato etc. may have an opposing position and to renounce the use of "zero import duties". "Russia once again demonstrated the unpredictability and caused distrust as a trading partner.

This gesture of the Russian side points to the necessity of assessing the economic importance of CIS. It is also necessary to revise the existing agreement about the free area within CIS with the purpose of the proportional interests of all signatory countries. Otherwise the idea of disintegration of CIS, especially in the context of elections, will receive more publicity in the society", - said the expert.

As it was previously reported, the Russian government adopted a decision on application of the customs duties on 19 categories of Moldovan goods (meat, farm products, sugar, wheat, beer, wine, furniture and others), despite the existing free trade area within CIS. From September 1, import duties on these categories will meet customs duties applied in WTO countries