Moldova and Turkey are strengthening their trade relations by updating the Free Trade Agreement. The parliament on February 12 ratified the decision of the Moldovan-Turkish Joint Committee on the enforcement of the new provisions of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Regional Convention on preferential rules of origin.
The amendments aim to facilitate the bilateral trade, reduce administrative barriers, and introduce more flexible rules of origin. The new provisions allow economic operators to use raw materials of Turkish origin and benefit from cumulation of origin within the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean system, which will contribute to increasing local added value and boosting the competitiveness of Moldovan products on foreign markets.
The new PEM rules, adopted in 2025 and which entered into force on January 1, provide for modernized and simplified rules of origin, adapted to current international trade requirements and the needs of the business environment.
Moldova acceded to the PEM Convention in 2015. The Convention was created, in order to replace numerous bilateral protocols on rules of origin and to establish a common framework applicable to all member states. Presently, the Convention has 25 contracting parties, including the European Union, the EFTA states, Turkey, Georgia and more North African countries.
The Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and Turkey was signed in 2014. According to official data, in 2024 Turkey ranked fourth among the main trading partners of Moldova, with a trade volume of $890.4 million. Moldovan exports amounted to $212.7 million, while imports reached $677.7 million.
The main products exported to Turkey include sunflower seeds, iron and aluminum waste and scrap, knitted clothing items, and IT equipment. Imports are dominated by clothing accessories, petroleum oils, medicines, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and jewelry. (Moldpres)