RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.11 
8 June 2000 
 (00-2261) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Moldova  
 
 
 
DRAFT REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY  
ON THE ACCESSION OF MOLDOVA  
 
 
Addendum  
  For the purposes of the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO, the Ministry of Economy and Reforms of the Republic of Moldova has provided the following Summary of the Commitments of the Republic of Moldova, contai ned in the draft Report of the Working Party 
(WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3) and the progress in implementing those commitments as of 
15 May 2000.   
_______________ 
 
                                                     
 
1 In English and French only.  WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1 
Page 2  
No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
1.  17 Some members of the Working Party requested information on 
the basic provisions regulating investment and any restrictions 
or registration measures affecting foreign investment. Law "On Foreign Investments" plus 
amendments and Government Decision  “On 
Improving the Mechanism of Regulating 
Foreign Trade” plus amendments were sent to the WP Members; Action completed 
2.  28 The Government of Moldova would provide annual reports on 
other issues related to its econom ic reform as relevant to its 
obligations under the WTO. Reports on privatization were presented till 
year 1999. Report on privatization for 1999 
to be elaborated and submitted Timeframe: By May 2000 
3.  31 The Government of Moldova would review the current 
legislation and would reduce the incidence of price controls in its economy A draft Law on prices is being prepared.  
Amendments to the Government Decision in force are being prepared focused on the reduction of the incidence of price controls. The draft Law will be presented to the 
Government for approval in April 2000. As stipulated in par. 30 of WPR, 
the reduction of incidence of price control is part of future plans of Moldova. The draft Law referred to will be adopted 
later this year. 
4.  34 Request for information on the manner in which Moldova’s Law 
"On Monopoly Activities Limitation and the Development of 
Competition" dealt with vertical and horizontal restraint arrangements, and the recourse fo reign firms had if opportunities 
were impaired by such arrangements. The text of the Law and additional information 
were provided to the WP. Action completed 
5.  46 All fiscal, financial and budgeta ry activities performed by local 
governments would be in compliance with Article III of the GATT 1994 The laws in force or being prepared contain no 
provisions granting local governments autonomous authority over issues of subsidies, taxation, trade policy or any other measures covered by WTO All fiscal, financial and 
budgetary activities carried out by local authorities under the authority of the central government will be in 
compliance with Article III of 
GATT 1994. 
6.  49 Request for information on “activity licensing” require ments. The text of the Law “On licensing of certain 
types of activities” and additional information were provided to the WP. Action completed 
7.  52 The Budget Law (BL) 2000 brings all internal taxes and other 
internal charges, in particular those applied in relation to the licensing of the activity of storage or wholesale of imported alcoholic beverages, into conformity with WTO requirements. The BL 2000 brings all internal taxes and other 
charges were brought into conformity with WTO requirements. The Budget Law for 2000 was adopted in April 2000. Action completed 
                                                      
• This column identifies the relevant  paragraph in WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3.   WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1
 Page 3No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
8.  53 The representative of Moldova confirmed that after ratification 
of the Accession Protocol by the Moldovan Parliament, the 
Moldovan Government would set the custom tariffs within the 
agreed ceiling levels. The  BL 2000 establishes applied customs 
duties within the agreed ceiling levels contained in Moldova’s schedule of tariff 
bindings. The Budget Law for 2000 was 
adopted in April 2000. Action completed 
9.  58 Moldova committed that import duty exemptions would only 
be granted to third countr ies in accordance with WTO 
provisions. Moldova is presently in full compliance as 
regards import duty exemptions granted to 
third countries. None 
10.  59 Moldova agreed to bind at zero other duties and charges in its 
Schedule of Tariff Concessions. The  BL 2000 does not establish any duties or 
charges other than ordinary customs duties Action completed 
11.  61 
 Moldova would modify its customs system to remove the 
0.25 per cent customs user fee and would introduce a flat fee 
reflecting the approximate co st of processing a customs 
declaration. The  BL 2000 establishes a flat customs user 
fee as was also presented in Table 8 of the 
WPR Action completed 
12.  63 Moldova was to eliminate the surcharge, and did so as of 1 
May 2000. The BL 2000 eliminates the surcharge Action completed 
13.  64 After accession all duties and charges applied on imports other 
than ordinary customs duties and charges for services rendered would be in accordance with the WTO provisions. The representative of Moldova stated that from the date of accession Moldova would ensure that all charges applied to imports were applied in a manner consistent with the 
requirements of the Understanding on Balance-of-Payments 
Provisions of the GATT 1994, as well as Article XII of the GATT 1994. The  BL 2000 does not establish any duties or 
charges other than ordinary customs duties Action completed 
Any future action will be fully consistent with the commitments.   
14.  67 The exemption from VAT of products from crop farming and 
animal husbandry in unprocessed  form and on a live-weight 
basis during year 2000 did not extend to imports of similar products. The representative of Moldova stated that this practice would be discontinued and subsequently the  Budget 
Law 2000 eliminated this exemption. . According to Article 26 of the  BL 2000 
products from crop farming and animal husbandry in unprocessed form and on a live-weight basis are no longer exempt from VAT. Action completed 
15.  68 
and  
71 Member countries asked the excise tax regime be brought into 
conformity with the WTO provisions as Moldova recognized 
that the previous excise tax regime treated some domestic and 
imported goods differently. Annex 5 of the  BL 2000 establishes uniform 
excise taxes for domestic and imported 
products subject to excise tax. Action completed 
16.  73 Moldova confirmed that, from the date of accession, it would BL 2000 changes the internal tax regime in a Action completed  WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1 
Page 4 No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
apply its domestic taxes, including those on products listed in 
paragraphs 70-75 in strict compliance with Article III of the GATT 1994 and in a non-discriminatory manner to imports 
regardless of country of origin. manner to comply with the provisions of 
Article I and Article III of GATT 94. The law was adopted in April 2000. 
17.  77 The Republic of Moldova would not introduce or apply 
quantitative restrictions on impor ts and other restrictions 
having equivalent effect that could not be justified under the 
provisions of the WTO Agreements Moldova has not established any quantitative 
restrictions on imports and other restrictions 
having equivalent effect and has no plans to do 
so. None 
18.  82 Moldova confirmed that from the date of accession, it would 
not introduce, re-introduce or apply other non-tariff measures such as licensing, quotas, prohibitions, bans and other restrictions having equivalent eff ect that could not be justified 
under the provisions of the WTO Agreements. If balance-of-payment measures were ever necessary in the future, Moldova 
would impose them in a manner c onsistent with the relevant 
WTO provisions, including Article XII of the GATT 1994 and the Understanding on Balance-of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994. Moldova has not introduced non-tariff 
measures such as licensing, quotas, prohibitions, bans or other restrictions on imports, nor has it reintroduced balance-of-payments measures and has no plans to do so. None 
19.  83 
to 89 Moldova confirmed that, from the date of accession, it would 
apply fully the WTO provisions concerning customs valuation, including in addition to the Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994, the provisions on the 
Treatment of Interest Charges in Customs Value of Imported 
Goods and for the Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software for Data Processing Equipment. In accordance with these latter provisions, only the cost of the carrier medium itself would be accounted for in the customs value. He added 
that, as an international agreement, the provisions of the WTO 
Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994 would supersede domestic law. The amendments to the Customs Tariff Law 
and the new draft Customs Code bring Moldovan Customs legislation into conformity with WTO provisions. The draft Customs 
Code passed its first reading in the Parliament.  Amendments to the Law on 
Customs Tariff were scheduled to be approved by the Government in June 2000 and 
then and approved by the 
Parliament by the end July. The draft Customs Code is expected to be passed by the Parliament  by the end of July 2000.  
20.  92 
and 93 Moldova would adopt legal provisions for rules of origin that 
comply fully with the requirements of the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin. The representative of Moldova confirmed that from the date of accession Moldova’s preferential and non-preferential rules of origin would comply fully with the WTO 
Agreement on Rules of Origin, and that the requirements of The drafts amendments to the Customs Tariff 
Law bring Moldova’s rules of origin into conformity with WTO provisions. The amendments to the Law on 
Customs Tariff are scheduled to be approved by the Government in June 2000 and by the Parliament by end July 2000.   WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1
 Page 5No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
Article 2(h) and Annex II, para graph 3(d) of the Agreement, 
which require provision upon request of an assessment of the origin of the import and outline the terms under which it will 
be provided, would be estab lished in Moldova's legal 
framework prior to accession. 
21.  95 In utilizing pre-shipment inspection service providers, 
Moldova would ensure that the requirements of the Agreement 
on Pre-shipment inspection were implemented in full. The Governmental Decision nr. 747 and the 
Draft Agreement between Moldova and PSI 
Company follow the PSI Agreement. The Government will exercise 
constant surveillance over the 
PSI company 
22.  96 In the elaboration of any legislation concerning anti-dumping, 
countervailing and safeguard m easures Moldova would insure 
their full conformity with relevant WTO provisions. The draft Law “On anti-dumping, 
countervailing and safeguard measures” is fully compliant with the WTO provisions and has had its second reading by Parliament. Action will be completed when 
the Law will be approved by Parliament. 
23.  99 Moldova was to abolish the license fee of 0.1 pre cent on 
exports, and has done so. The BL 2000 introduces a flat fee system on 
exports. The law was adopted in April 2000. Action completed 
24.  104 Moldova stated that from the date of accession it would not 
maintain any subsidies, including export subsidies, which met a definition of a prohibited subsidy within the meaning of Article 3 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures, and would not introduce such prohibited subsidies 
from the day of accession. Moldova has no subsidy measures prohibited 
by the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and will not introduce such measures None 
25.  108 Moldova stated that any subsidy programs provided by its 
Government after accession would be administered in 
conformity with the Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures and that all necessary information on noticeable programs would be notified to the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures according to Article 25 of the Agreement upon entry into force of Moldova's Protocol 
of Accession Moldova has not established subsidy measures 
covered by the Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures None 
26.  109 
to 119 TBT Implementation as described in Table 14 of the WPR: 
27.   a. Draft Law on standardization Was adopted by the Government for 
submission to the Parliament. It will be approved by the 
Parliament by end July 2000 
28.   b. Draft Law on certification Was passed by Parliament and published in 
“Monitorul Oficial” on 3rd of February 2000. Action completed 
29.   c. Draft Law on TBT Was adopted by the Government and passed 
by the Parliament. It will be enacted by end June 
2000  WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1 
Page 6 No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
30.   d. Draft Law on protection of consumer rights The Law passed the normal procedure of 
elaboration and has been sent to the Government to be approved for submission to 
the Parliament It will be approved by the 
Parliament by end July  2000 
31.   e. Setting up the inquiry point People are being trained to operate within the 
inquiry point. Moldova has contracted 
technical assistance from donor community to 
provide equipment in this respect. It is expected that the inquiry 
point will be fully operational 
within the period of March – 
July 2000 
32.   f. Implementation of the Code of Good Practi ce The Department of Standards has elaborated a 
Checklist for the implementation the Code of Good Practice in the national legislation. Some of the items of the checklist already are accomplished. A translated copy of the Checklist will be submitted shortly. January 2001 
33.   g. Implementation of the Plan on development of voluntary 
standards Technical assistance has been secured to help 
identify areas requiring technical regulations 
and in the drafting of technical regulations, 
schedule is presently being elaborated. On the base of foreign experts 
report a strategy for elaboration 
of technical requirements and 
conversion of mandatory standards into voluntary standards is being elaborated.  Timeframe: years 2000 - 2002 
34.  120 to 
129 SPS implementation as described in Table 16 of the WPR: 
35.   a. Amendments to Governmental Decision no. 967 establishing 
the Statute of the State Phyt osanitary Quarantine Service The  Government adopted the amendments in 
April 2000  
Action completed. 
36.   b. Amendments to Governmental Decision no. 816 “On 
sanitary – epidemiological state supervision rules” The Government adopted the amendments in 
May 2000. Action completed. 
37.   c. Amendments to Governmental Decision nr. 378 establishing 
the Statute of the State Veterinary Service The draft Governmental Decision is being 
elaborated jointly by the Ministry of Economy and Reforms and Veterinary Service  It has to be circulated for 
comments to public institutions and sent to the Government for approval. It is expected it will be approved by end of June  2000. 
38.   d. Ratification of the Plant Protection Convention The Parliament Decision was elaborated by the 
Phytosanitary Quarantine Service and circulated to other interested parties for 
comments and sent to the Parliament for It is expected that the 
Convention will be ratified before December 2000.   WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1
 Page 7No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
ratification 
39.  130 The Government of Moldova would ensure that any trade 
related investment m easures introduced in the future would be 
fully in conformity with the requirements of the WTO Agreement on TRIMs. Moldova submitted the Law “On foreign 
investments”, including amendments, to Members of the Working Party. None. Any future activities will 
be fully consistent with this commitment. 
40.  135 Moldova stated that if it were to introduce state trading as 
defined by the Understanding on Interpretation of Article XVII 
of the GATT 1994, it would ensure that all relevant regulations 
were in conformity with the requirements of Article XVII of 
the GATT 1994 and the Understa nding on Interpretation of 
Article XVII of the GATT 1994, including those provisions requiring the application of "co mmercial considerations" in the 
sale and purchase of state traded commodities. He confirmed that Moldova would observe the provisions of Article XVII of 
the GATT 1994, the WTO Understanding on that Article, and 
Article VIII of the GATS regarding State trading. Moldova has not introduced state trading as 
defined by the understanding on Article XVII, and has no plans to do so. None 
41.  139 Moldova confirmed that in the administration of the free zones 
established within its territory, the free zones would be fully subject to the coverage of Mol dova's commitments taken in its 
Protocol of Accession to the WTO Agreement, and that Moldova would ensure enforcement of its WTO obligations in those free zones.  In addition, goods produced in the free zones 
under tax and tariff provisions that exempted imports and 
imported inputs from tariffs and certain taxes would be subject 
to normal customs formalities when entering the rest of Moldova, including the application of tariffs and taxes. According to the Law no. 1415 of 25  May 
1993, goods imported from FEZ to the rest of the territory, or exported from the rest of the territory to FEZ are subject to normal customs formalities, including the application of tariff and taxes. None 
42.  143 Moldova confirmed that it would become an observer to the 
Agreement on Government Procurement upon accession and would begin negotiations for membership in the Agreement. None The Government will initiate 
negotiations for membership immediately after acceding to WTO 
43.  145 Moldova stated that its Governments would consider the issue 
of joining the Plurilateral Trade Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft upon accession. None The Government will initiate 
negotiations for membership immediately after acceding to 
WTO 
44.  208 The representative of Moldova stated that Moldova would 
comply with all the provisions of the Agreement on Trade-A list of specific legislation required was 
presented to the Government. The list is spelled The action will be completed 
within the timeframes indicated  WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1 
Page 8 No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights from the date 
of accession to the WTO without recourse to any transitional period. The Working Party took note of this commitment. A 
detailed program of specific  legislation required to be 
implemented is presented below. out in a) to g), below below. 
45.   a. Draft Law “On modification of various laws in the field of 
industrial protection”. The Draft Law was approved by the 
Government and submitted to the Parliament 
in March 2000. It is expected to be approved by 
the Parliament by end July  
2000.  
46.   b. Draft Law on Protection of Topographies of Integrated 
Circuits. The Law was passed by the Parliament and is 
in force since 6th of January 2000 Action completed 
47.   c. Draft Law “On modification and completion of the Law on 
Copyrights and neighboring rights”.  The Draft Law is being reviewed by the 
Government. It was approved by the 
Government and submitted to 
the Parliament. Adoption is expected by end – July 2000l. 
48.   d. Draft Parliament Decision “On accession of the Republic of 
Moldova to the Convention on protection of phonograms producers against illicit reproduction of their phonograms”.” (Geneva, October 29, 1971) The Convention was ratified by the Parliament 
on 10 of February 2000 through Parliament Decision no. 1452. Action completed 
49.   e. Draft Governmental Decision “On authors’ remuneration for 
use of their copyrights”.  The draft Governmental Decision has been 
submitted to the Government. Will be approved by the 
Government by end-June  2000.  
50.   f. Draft Governmental Decision “On approval of the Rules of 
the State Agency for Copyrights of the Republic of Moldova”.  The draft Governmental Decision has been 
submitted to the Government. Will be approved by the 
Government by end June  2000.  
51.   g. Draft Governmental Decision “On state registration of 
works protected by copyrights and neighboring rights”. The draft Governmental Decision has been 
submitted to the Government. Will be approved by the 
Government by end-June  2000.  
52.  214 The representative of Moldova stated that Moldova would 
comply with all the provisions of the Agreement on Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights from the date of accession to the WTO without recourse to any transitional period. The Working Party took note of this commitment. Presently Moldova is bringing TRIPS related 
legal framework into full conformity with 
WTO provisions The action will be completed 
within the timeframes indicated 
above. 
53.  218 The representative of Moldova said that Moldova would 
observe all WTO provisions, including those of Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 and Article V of the GATS in the trade agreements, and would ensure that the provisions of these 
WTO Agreements for notification, consultation and other 
requirements concerning free trade areas and customs unions of which Moldova was a member were met from the date of The Government is preparing the information 
on FTAs in the standard format of WTO. Moldova will address properly 
all commitments included in this paragraph    WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/4/Rev.3/Add.1
 Page 9No. WP 
Report 
para.• Commitment action and time frame Action to date Action remaining and timeframe 
accession. He confirmed that Moldova would, within 6 months 
after accession, submit  notifications and copies of its Free Trade Area and Customs Union Agreements to the Committee 
on Regional Trade Agreements ( CRTA). He further confirmed 
that these Agreements would be consistent with the provisions 
of the WTO and would, in any case, be notified to the CRTA during its examination of the same. The Working Party took 
note of this commitment 
54.  222 The representative of Moldova stated that a schedule on 
notifications required by Agreements constituting part of the WTO Agreement had been submitted in document 
WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/6 with information about deadlines of 
all notifications required upon accession and immediately after accession. Any regulations subsequently enacted by Moldova which gave effect to the laws enacted to implement any Agreement constituting part of the WTO Agreement would 
also conform to the requirements of that Agreement. The 
Working Party took note of this commitment Moldova is preparing to meet the notification 
requirements contained in the document WT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/6. Regulations to give 
effect  to laws enacted to implement WTO 
obligations are being drafted and will be fully consistent with those obligations.  Regulations to give effect  to 
laws enacted to implement WTO obligations are being 
drafted and will be fully 
consistent with those obligations. 
 
__________