Dick Lugar: “I rise in support of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would repeal the Cold War-era…”

“I rise in support of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would repeal the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions on Moldovan products and thereby provide impetus for closer U.S. strategic engagement between our two nations. I have introduced this legislation in the previous three Congresses and believe that the time is ripe for Moldova to finally be granted permanent normal trade relations. Moldova has been in the WTO since 2001 but still remains subject to Jackson-Vanik, despite currently being in full compliance with Jackson-Vanik-related concerns. Until the United States terminates application of Jackson-Vanik on Moldova, the U.S. will not benefit from Moldova's market access commitments nor can it resort to WTO dispute resolution mechanisms. While all other WTO members currently enjoy these benefits, the United States does not. The Republic of Moldova has been evaluated every year and granted normal trade relations with the United States through annual presidential waivers from the effects of Jackson-Vanik. The Moldovan constitution guarantees its citizens the right to emigrate and this right is respected in practice. Most emigration restrictions were eliminated in 1991 and virtually no problems with emigration have been reported since independence. More specifically, Moldova does not impose emigration restrictions on members of the Jewish community. Synagogues function openly and without harassment.…”