DISINFO: European Union does not attract its Eastern neighbours any more, Moldova dreams of returning to the Russian market
SUMMARY
Moldova signed the association agreement with the European Union, but now it dreams of returning to the Russian market.
RESPONSE
No evidence given. According to a poll by the International Republican Institute, in October 2017 49 % of Moldovans preferred to join the European Union, 38 % the Customs Union/Eurasian Union (answering a question "If Moldova could only join one international economic union, which one should it be?).
The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) is compatible with all other free trade agreements that Moldova is part of, and does not limit Moldova's ability to export its products to other countries. Moldova also retains full sovereignty over its trade policy since it is not a member of any customs union. eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/4011/EU-Moldova%20relations,%20Factsheet,
The EU is Moldova’s first trading partner and biggest investor in the country. In 2016, it accounted for 66% of Moldova’s overall exports and 55% of total trade. In 2016, EU imports from Moldova grew by 7.7% compared to 2015. This is an increase of 13.5% since 2014, the year when the Association Agreement along with its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) entered into force. eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eap_summit_factsheet_moldova_eng.pdf,
Further debunking by API.