No proper impact assessment of DCFTA has been made and the EU imposed what it wanted on Moldova without caring about the economic consequence

The EU conducts the usual assessment of the economic potential and consequences of a free trade area on the partner country and itself prior to conclusion of negotiations. The assessment, the Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment, looked at the intended scope and breadth of the EU-Moldova Agreement and concluded its short- and long-term positive impact on trade of Moldova, in particular after the conclusion of the reform process.

It pointed to an expected increase of Moldovan exports to the EU by 16% and of imports by 8%, which would clearly have a positive impact on the Moldovan budget and on consumers. Moldova’s GDP is expected to rise by 5, 4%. At the same time, the study clearly indicates that the reform process would require accompanying measures in order to mitigate the difficult transition in the short-term. In this regard, EU assistance to Moldova could be of help. These are the primary indications and another study will be conducted, based on the outcome of the negotiated text. In any event, the findings of the study confirm the policy of assistance in reforms that the EU has been pursuing with Moldova since the onset of the Neighbourhood Policy.