Reintegration Minister Vasile Sova said on 22 January that Chisinau did not intend to impose an economic blockade on the separatist region Transdniester. Referring to the new customs rules agreed upon with Ukraine, Sova said that by processing as of 25 January all imports and exports through Moldovan customs offices and by being registered in Moldova all companies in Transdniester would legalize thus their activity and work without restrictions and bans. Officials in Transdniester called the measures an economic blockade and parliamentary speaker Yevgeny Shevchuk warned on 21 January that the breakaway region could pull out of the talks on settling the regional conflict.
