CHISINAU, February 2. /TASS/. Moldova proposed to Russia to resume the work of the inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation which held its last session in November 2012, Moldovan Economy Ministry’s press secretary told TASS on Tuesday.

"We informed Russian representatives about our interest to hold the session in the first half of this year," the press secretary said.

Chisinau wants to discuss the possibility of boosting the process of lifting restrictions in trade and energy cooperation. "The Russian government earlier adopted a decree on introducing customs duties for Moldovan goods, and it affected 19 export categories. There are also non-tariff barriers or so-called temporary restrictions on export to Russia of Moldovan wine, meat and canned products," a representative of Moldovan Economy Ministry told TASS.

She reminded that improving economic ties with Russia is high on the agenda for the new Moldovan government. Many questions have been accumulated over the pause in Russian-Moldovan relations, she added. Energy issues are also important, and Moldova wants to resume a long-term contract with Gazprom on gas supplies which expired in 2011 and has not since been renewed. Chisinau wants to get a discount for gas but negotiations are rather difficult. The representative said that Moldova also plans to discuss with Russia cooperation in railway transportation.

Chisinau plans to discuss the agenda in detail at the session of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Economic Council in Moscow on March 18.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin co-chairs the inter-governmental commission, he also serves as Russian presidential envoy for Transdniestrian settlement. The new Moldovan government has not appointed its co-chairman yet but it will most likely be Economy Minister Octavian Calmic.