Max Baucus: “I very much thank my friend for bringing this up. Moldova is a country which joined the World Trade Organization in…”

“I very much thank my friend for bringing this up. Moldova is a country which joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, and for various reasons--basically, it is Jackson-Vanik or the relic of Jackson-Vanik--Moldova has not been granted PNTR. But Moldova has made huge, successful strides in its government, in its political and economic reforms. I am very impressed with Moldova. It is a friend to the United States. Although we cannot deal with that issue on this bill, I want to make it very clear to my friend from Arizona that we will take up legislation this year to ensure that Moldova is granted PNTR status and becomes a full member in the world community. I make that pledge to my friend from Arizona to get that done this year. Mr. McCAIN. I thank the chairman. I know he has an incredibly heavy schedule, with the legislation before us today and other matters before the committee, but I also know he knows--and I want to assure him--when the people of Moldova hear of his commitment, this will be a happy day in Moldova. I thank the chairman.”