CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) – Moldova’s parliament speaker on Thursday protested a Russian ban on Moldovan wine, saying it is politically motivated.
Russian officials enacted the ban Monday, saying they needed to protect consumers from poor quality wines. They say the wine contains pesticides, a claim rejected by Moldova.
Moldova parliament speaker Marian Lupu said the move was retaliation for Moldova’s and Ukraine’s adoption of new customs rules that affect the exports of a pro-Russian separatist province in Moldova.
“It is clear that there are no technical or economic issues … but a premeditated political action,” Lupu said.
Russia is a staunch supporter of the breakaway Trans-Dniester province, which it considers as strategically important for its interests in Europe. About 1,500 Russian troops are stationed in the region.
Moldova’s Wine Exporters Association also protested the ban, saying the sanctions affect about 200,000 people who work in the industry.
The association rejected the Russian accusations about Moldovan wines being dangerous to consumers, saying producers welcomed any Russian inspections to verify their quality.
Wine exports make up about 30 percent of Moldova’s gross domestic product. Moldova sells 80 percent of its wine to Russia. Last year, Moldova exported $313 million worth of wine.
Trans-Dniester broke away from Moldova in 1992 after a war which left over 1,500 people dead.
Earlier this month, Moldova and neighboring Ukraine adopted new customs regulations that call for all Trans-Dniester exports to be registered by Moldovan authorities.
Russia has protested the rules, saying that Moldova was seeking to take economic control over the breakaway region, but the EU has welcomed the new requirements, which are meant to curb smuggling.
Moldova’s relations with Russia have worsened in recent years over Russia’s support for Trans-Dniester separatists.
The Russian wine ban also applies to Georgia, another former Soviet country where pro-Western forces have come to power in recent years. Georgia also denies its wines contain pesticides.
