On October 24, the National Energy Regulatory Agency of Moldova (ANRE) held an open meeting of the Board of Directors, during which it approved a 50% reduction in tariffs for gas transportation to Ukraine.
“During the meeting, the Board approved amendments to Decision No. 272/2025 on the optimization of the ”Route 1″ capacity product on the Trans-Balkan pipeline, following a joint initiative submitted by natural gas transmission system operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The initiative aims to strengthen regional energy security and ensure natural gas supplies to Ukraine,“ according to a statement on the ANRE official website.
”The approved changes provide for the extension of the application of the “Route 1” product for 6 months (November 2025 – April 2026), the application of a 50% reduction in transportation tariffs for SRL “Vestmoldtransgaz” at the Kaushen and Grebeniki interconnection points, as well as the extension of the application of the capacity product to all relevant interconnection points along the route. The application of a 50% reduction in transportation tariffs is also provided for by the Romanian transmission system operator SA “Transgaz,” ANRE explained.
“With this decision, the Republic of Moldova is strengthening its role as a regional transit corridor, facilitating the transport of natural gas from Greece to Ukraine and contributing to the diversification of routes and sources of supply. In the long term, transportation volumes are expected to increase and, as a result, the associated tariffs will decrease for users of the transport system operated by SRL Vestmoldtransgaz,” the statement emphasized.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu signed a decree on Friday appointing economist and entrepreneur Alexander Munteanu as prime minister after her party won last month’s parliamentary elections.
The decree was published on the Moldovan president’s website.
“I wish him success in forming a government that will gain the trust of parliament and meet the most important expectations of citizens: protecting peace, preparing the country for EU accession, strengthening the economy, and improving people’s living standards,” the head of state said.
According to the document, “the designated candidate must present to parliament a team and a management program in order to obtain a vote of confidence and invest the new government of the Republic of Moldova.”
According to the Moldovan publication Point, Sandu signed the decree after consultations with the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS).
It is noted that Munteanu is an economist, professor, and entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in international investment.
According to open sources, Munteanu lived in Ukraine for 20 years. He is 61 years old. He calls himself “an American of Moldovan origin” and has not previously been involved in politics. He is a successful businessman, founder of the investment company 4i Capital Partners, operating in Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus, and has experience working for companies such as WNISEF/Horizon Capital and Dragon Capital.
Moldova is a unitary parliamentary republic.
Moldova is launching a new visa category for digital nomads, designed for professionals who work remotely.
The visa is intended for foreigners who can confirm their remote work and stable income.
It is valid for up to one year with the possibility of extension, allowing holders to work and live in the country between trips.
Requirements include proof of income above a certain threshold, medical insurance, and no criminal record.
Under the visa, holders will be able to take advantage of preferential tax treatment or special tax conditions depending on their place of residence.
The country seeks to strengthen its position as an attractive destination for IT and creative sector professionals. Digital nomads bring revenue to the economy through accommodation, rent, and consumption of services and goods. This further stimulates the development of infrastructure, coworking spaces, and international relations.
Moldova is joining the ranks of countries introducing special visa regimes to attract remote workers. Similar schemes are already in place in Georgia, Portugal, Estonia, and other countries seeking to strengthen their digital economies and diversify their sources of income.
Ukraine maintains a significant positive trade balance with a number of key partners, which partially offsets the deficit in relations with China and EU countries.
The largest surplus in the first half of 2025 was recorded in trade with Egypt — $605.0 million. Spain ranks second with a balance of $515.3 million, followed by the Republic of Moldova — $448.4 million. Positive dynamics are also observed in relations with the Netherlands ($357.6 million), Algeria ($276.6 million), and Lebanon ($243.8 million).
Ukraine also has a high trade surplus with Iraq ($189.0 million), Libya ($133.6 million), Saudi Arabia ($128.4 million), and Kazakhstan ($113.6 million).
“The positive trade balance indicates that Ukraine is capable of competing effectively in international markets, especially in the agricultural sector and metallurgy. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that these markets are vulnerable to changes in the global economic situation, price fluctuations, and political factors,” emphasized Maksim Urakin, founder of Experts Club and economist.
According to him, maintaining a positive balance in relations with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa is a key element of Ukraine’s foreign trade strategy.
“Egypt, Spain, and the countries of the Arab world are stable importers of Ukrainian agricultural products. This is a strategic direction that needs to be developed further, as it creates a safety cushion for the economy against the backdrop of significant import costs,” Urakyn emphasized.
Analysts note that consolidating positions in the African and Middle Eastern markets could become a long-term factor in strengthening Ukraine’s foreign economic balance.
Agricultural exports, ALGERIA, ECONOMY, EGYPT, EXPERTS CLUB, FOREIGN TRADE, IRAQ, KAZAKHSTAN, LEBANON, LIBYA, MOLDOVA, NETHERLANDS, positive balance, SAUDI ARABIA, SPAIN, UKRAINE, МАКСИМ УРАКИН
Most Ukrainians have a positive attitude toward Moldova, as evidenced by the results of a sociological study conducted by Active Group in collaboration with Experts Club in August 2025.
According to the data, 51.3% of respondents have a positive attitude towards the neighbouring country (34.0% — mostly positive, 17.3% — completely positive). Only 4.7% of respondents have a negative attitude (4.3% — mostly negative, 0.3% — completely negative). At the same time, 42.0% of citizens remain neutral, and another 2.3% said they did not have enough information about Moldova.
“Despite difficult historical relations and various political challenges, Ukrainians’ attitude towards Moldova is rather warm and friendly. This is explained by both geographical proximity and similar cultural traditions,” said Active Group CEO Oleksandr Pozniy.
In turn, co-founder of Experts Club Maksim Urakin emphasized the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries:
“In 2025, Ukraine maintains a significant positive trade balance with Moldova — over $448 million. Ukrainian exports amounted to about $519 million, while imports — only $70.9 million. The total volume of bilateral trade reached $590 million, and this dynamic indicates Moldova’s stable interest in Ukrainian goods,” he stressed.
The study is part of a large-scale project analyzing Ukraine’s international sympathies and economic relations.
The full video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
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ACTIVE GROUP, EXPERTS CLUB, MOLDOVA, Pozniy, RELATIONS, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, UKRAINE, URAKIN
The Moldovan government is preparing to build a high-speed highway that will connect the border with Romania and run to Odesa. Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of Economy of Moldova, said this at the opening of Moldova Business Week.
Currently, a feasibility study is being prepared to determine the possible route of the road and whether parts of the new route will use existing roads.
In addition, Moldova is modernizing both rail and road corridors. The feasibility study for the Ungheni-Chisinau-Odesa corridor is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
The road will be of particular importance for Ukraine’s reconstruction, as it will help shorten routes, reduce logistics costs and increase the resilience of supply routes.
Once the feasibility study is completed, a final decision on the route and construction details will be made. The project will depend on funding, international support, and cooperation between the governments of Moldova and Ukraine (and possibly Romania).
