Moldovan president rules to resume wine supplies to Russia

Moldova's President Vladimir Voronin has ruled to resume wine supplies to Russia, Valeriu Mironescu, general director of Moldova Vin, the country's alcoholic beverage watchdog, told journalists Thursday, ITAR-TASS reported.

"We have been ready for this for a long time," he added.

Russia's Federal Service for Oversight of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, or Rospotrebnadzor, completed an inspection of Moldovan wine plants in March and decided which of the companies met the standards for wine imports to Russia, Moldova Vin official Yury Mudrya said.

Russian authorities banned Moldovan wine imports in March 2006, citing health and quality concerns. Moldova's wine exports almost halved on the year in 2006, to U.S. $173 million.