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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Dodon,

President of Moldova Igor Dodon: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. I am very glad to see you.

Vladimir Putin: I am also glad to see you, likewise.

Mr President, next year we will mark the 20^th anniversary of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation. I must admit these years in Russia-Moldova relations were not easy. But owing to your efforts, we have been improving these relations recently, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Treaty that I have just recalled. I hope that after the presidential elections that are due to take place literally in a month (by the way, I would like to wish you success at these elections), we will manage to continue the work you have started on restoring and developing our interstate ties.

We know that this year Moldova has faced economic problems, not to mention the coronavirus. I will say a few words about this. On top of all that, the country’s agriculture has to counter the consequences of the drought. At your request, we have allocated the required funds, up to a total of half a billion rubles, as humanitarian aid with a view to supplying the hardest hit companies with diesel fuel as you asked us. The first tranche for half of this amount is ready to go. We expect you to send us a list of companies that need this support in the first place.

With regard to the coronavirus, as you may be aware, we supplied Moldova, also at your request, with 15,000 test kits. We are prepared to continue to work together at the level of specialists, sanitary doctors, epidemiologists, and researchers who are successfully working in this area in Russia in order to support you and the citizens of Moldova who are facing this pandemic.

We have planned a series of measures. I hope we will be able to carry them out as quickly as possible. We also have something to discuss in this regard.

Once again, I am happy to have you here, and it is great that we can see each other, albeit at a distance. Nevertheless, this allows us to lose no time in resolving the problems that are of principal interest to both Moldova and Russia.

Igor Dodon: Mr President, thank you very much for the kind words about our partnership.

Indeed, we have managed, in conjunction with you, to almost restore the strategic partnership between our countries at all levels in recent years. At the presidential level, we re-launched this partnership in 2017, when we first met as presidents. We are having a very good dialogue at the parliament and government levels over these last twelve months. Our strategic dialogue enjoys excellent dynamics in almost all areas and levels of state power.

Unfortunately, this year was marred by the coronavirus pandemic and a drought. I want to thank you for the help that Russia has provided in our efforts to fight the coronavirus. Russia was one of the first countries to help us in March and April.

I would also like to thank you for the fact that Russia is ready to issue a loan, and I hope we will sign an agreement to that effect soon. I am referring to a loan of 200 million euros to support Moldova’s economy. I am aware that there was a round of talks last week, and there is progress.

Despite the challenging situation, we will hold an online Moldova-Russia forum on October 1. And the intergovernmental commission will meet to discuss a bilateral issue on Friday, October 2.

A good dialogue on the Transnistrian settlement is underway. Mr Kozak must have informed you about it. We maintain contact with the left bank. I think we will cope with this situation with the help of our friends.

As far as agriculture is concerned, we have been hit by an unprecedented drought; we have not seen a drought like this in Moldova since the middle of the 20^th century. Unfortunately, coupled with the coronavirus, it has complicated the economic situation even more. We had a significant drop in the second quarter of the year, in the first six months. However, despite these problems, we are keeping the situation under control.

Thank you very much for your wishes of success during the election.

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