Last week, it was for the first time over the past many years, when a Moldavian delegation headed by its Prime Minister, Vasily Tarlev arrived in Baku l. Having a goal to develop the broad potential in the commercial and economical sphere, the Ministers of Moldova did not hide that they had arrived in Azerbaijan for investments and energy resources. For its part, the Azerbaijani Government should learn ways of creating favorable conditions to establish business in the country from the Moldavian colleagues.
The Moldavian Government expressed its interest in strengthening the co-operation in all directions of the national economy, industry, IT, as well as in the spheres of energy, tourism by creating joint ventures. The Moldavian Prime-Minister pledged to personally supervise whether the Azerbaijani business in Moldova would feel like at home, and whether favorable conditions would be created for their activities.
From the point of view of attractiveness for the business, Moldova possesses all chances to involve investors. Its interesting taxation system (profit tax amount to 15% whilst it was 32% five years ago). Unlike Azerbaijan, there are seven free economic zones in Moldova, which provide customs and tax privileges (import of any equipment is free from VAT and different customs duties). In addition, with Moldova's joining EU since January 1, 2007, EU has presented preferences at the level of 80%, i.e. it provides an opportunity to make exportation from Moldova to EU countries without customs duties.
Opening the access to the Danube River in the south of Moldova, as well as the launch of an oil terminal, which was constructed in co-operation with Azerbaijani companies at the end of last year also provides additional opportunities for expanding trade operations between the two countries. First takers with oil are expected to be sent to the terminal in the south of Moldova in March, 2007. It is planned to launch a cargo terminal by the end of 2007 and passenger port next year.
From this point of view, the oil sector appeared as the most interesting sphere for Moldova to establish co-operation with Azerbaijan. Vladimir Antonsy, Moldova's Industry and Infrastructure Minister, put forward a proposal to Azerbaijan to support Moldova in joining the NABUCCO project. Taking into consideration the experience of Azerbaijan in exploring oil and gas resources, a proposal was made for participating in a tender on exploration of Moldavian underground resources. The proposals also touched upon the co-operation in carrying Azerbaijani gas to Moldova. The latter is currently importing gas from Russia at $160 per 1,000 cu.m. In addition, Moldova is interested in co-operating in the sphere of supplying electric power, since the country imports 70% of the whole electric power.
Moreover, Moldova put forward to the Azerbaijani Government to send an expert group to their country to organize and conduct researches and studies in the country's oil fields. Thus, Moldova has produced its first 30,000 tons of oil from the depth of 600 meters. According to the initial assessments, there might be hydrocarbon reserves in the depth of 1200-2400 meters there. Moreover, the Country has plans to carry out works to provide the country with its own gas by 2011.
On the whole, as a result of the second meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission, six agreements on co-operation in the spheres of geodesy and cartography, migration, fight with economical law breaching, environmental protection, as well as statistics, health and finances were signed between the two parties. Moreover, the parties came to an agreement to organize direct air flights between Baku and Kishinev was reached
It is evidently that Moldova and Azerbaijan have many intersections, but the key and common issue is their participation in GUAM. These countries differ from other CIS member-states CIS with their high economical growth rates. Despite of the above-mentioned, both Moldova and Azerbaijan have one and the same unsettled issue - the restoration of territorial integrity.