OREANDA-NEWS. August 18, 2014. Moldovan winemakers think that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has been insufficiently active and persistent in is efforts to bring Moldovan wines to the Russian market. Such opinion was heard at the roundtable conference organized in Chisinau by the National Vine and Wine Office.

Salcuta company director Eugen Paslaru stated that if the Government fails to undertake efficient measures to change the situation, the country will suffer a catastrophe.

“Concrete prerequisites for this are already multiplying. We sent our proposals to the Government, but not a single decision has been taken yet to this effect. The most disappointing thing in all this is that the authorities do not regard us to be equal-right partners in handling the wine crisis”, said the company head.

Paslaru reminded that at establishing the National Office, it was decided that the Vine and Wine Fund would be replenished on a parity basis. However, that good intention did not come true: in 2013, Moldovan wine companies remitted 13 million lei into the Fund, whereas the Government – not a single leu.

“In 2014 the situation is repeating. The winemakers have already provided 9 million lei for the Fund, while the Government – nothing. How can one say that we are equal-right partners?” wondered Eugen Paslaru.

Doina-Vin company director Feodosii Bors stated that the new, repeated embargo by Russia is necessitating a reorientation of Moldovan wine exports to other markets.

“Besides wines made in Gagauzia and Transnistria, no other products from Moldova will appear at the Russian market in a foreseeable future. Therefore, may be it is worthwhile addressing to international court instances? Of course, this will take time. But in the current situation, such a step is extremely necessary”, said the company director.

The conference shared the opinion that a concrete dialog is necessary with the Government because the winemaking companies have found themselves in a situation when they are demanded to pay taxes and return bank credits, while they have no financial revenues.