February 08, 2011
A senior U.S. senator has introduced legislation in Congress that would lift a set of U.S. trade restrictions on Moldova that were imposed in 1975.
Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced legislation to exempt Chisinau from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, according to a committee staff member who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity.
The amendment punished the Soviet Union -- which Moldova was part of -- for human rights abuses by denying "most favored nation" status to, and restricting trade with, certain countries that restricted emigration.
To take effect, the legislation would have to be approved by committee members before passing a vote on the full Senate floor.
Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced legislation to exempt Chisinau from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, according to a committee staff member who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity.
The amendment punished the Soviet Union -- which Moldova was part of -- for human rights abuses by denying "most favored nation" status to, and restricting trade with, certain countries that restricted emigration.
To take effect, the legislation would have to be approved by committee members before passing a vote on the full Senate floor.
