CHISINAU, May 19 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian ban on Moldovan alcoholic drinks has dealt a blow to the country's economy, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev said Friday.
Russia placed an embargo on wine and other alcoholic drinks from Moldova and Georgia on March 27.
Speaking at a news conference in the Moldovan capital with Johan Mathisen, Intentional Monetary Fund Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Tarlev said: "The embargo is having negative influence on the economy, but we are taking measures to reduce this effect, including cooperation with international organizations, including the IMF."
Tarlev, who did not specify the losses his country has sustained from the ban, said Moldova needed to diversify its export market.
"We have come to conclusions that were unfortunately not made when the complex situation arose in 1998 at the time of the [Russian] default," he said. "Having moved on from this crisis, Moldova will become economically more stable, and will not depend on any consumer country."
