MOSCOW, June 08 /ITAR-TASS/. Moldova’s signing an association agreement with the European Union will inevitable tell on relations with Russia, so it is vital to take measures to reduce risks for trade relations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and State Secretary Grigory Karasin told Itar-Tass on Sunday ahead of his trip to Chisinau and Tiraspol.

“Moldova’s signing of the association agreement with the European Union scheduled for June 27 has a paramount importance for the Russian-Moldovan relations,” he said. “It is a major event for both Moldova and our bilateral relations.”

“We consider this decision of the Moldovan side as a sovereign decision that has far-reaching effects,” the Russian diplomat stressed. “No doubt, this step will tell on our relations with Moldova, and Moldova for us is a close and important partner, and it is applicable to all spheres - political, economic, cultural, spiritual.” That is why, according to Karasin, the common task for today is to maximally reduce “potential negative impacts, first of all, in the area of bilateral trade-and-economic cooperation."

Officials from Russian and Moldovan economics ministries will have a series of meetings on June 10-11 in Chisinau to discuss how to neutralize possible negative consequences of Moldova’s association with the European Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and State Secretary Grigory Karasin said.

“Professional economists from the two countries will take part in a special round of consultations on June 10-11. The round will be dedicated to the neutralization of negative impacts of Moldova’s association with the European Union,” he said.

“It is important. We hope that things will become clear and understandable for both sides,” he noted. “The consultations will be held in Chisinau and will involve economic ministries’ officials.

Another subject for discussion will be the situation in Ukraine, Grigory Karasin said.  “Naturally, the most important and sensitive subject for both Moldova and Transdniestria is Ukraine,” he noted. “All this is happening in the direct vicinity and influences the political atmosphere, that is why these problems will be discussed.”