Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE), in writing. − The autonomous trade preferences (ATPs) granted by the EU to the Republic of Moldova have been an important legislative tool, due to which many Moldovan products have free access to the EU common market. As Moldova has successfully negotiated but not yet signed the following step towards even greater economic integration with the EU – the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement – the validity of the ATPs must be ensured until the new framework enters into force. Thus the validity of the ATPs has been renewed, for next year, by means of this Regulation.

Moreover, as Moldovan wine exports have been banned from the Russian market, the EU has a duty and an obligation to help Moldovan wine producers and to open up European markets to them now already, without waiting for the DCFTA to enter into force. Thus, wine products are now deleted from the list of exceptions to the goods with free access to the Unionʼs market, which will, undoubtedly, give the Moldovan wine industry an opportunity for modernisation, development and growth.