Ukraine's Economic Development and Trade Ministry has said that Moldova's decision to impose quotas on imports of Ukrainian meat and dairy goods and cement is discriminative.

"We are disappointed by the decision of Moldova. We had agreed that they would not make any decisions without additional consultations with us. We believe that this is violation of WTO rules, the free trade area with the CIS and this spoils good neighbor relations," Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Trade Representative of Ukraine Natalia Mykolska told reporters in Kyiv on Thursday.

She said that the issue will be discussed at a meeting of the interagency commission.

Director of the trade protection department at the Economic Development and Trade Ministry Olesia Zaluska said that Moldova was to conduct an investigation in line with WTO rules for applying these safeguards measures.

Moldova on April 27 introduced safeguard quotas and duties on meat and dairy products and cement of Ukrainian origin. Imports of these goods will be restricted with quotas and duties will be collected from goods imported above the quotas.

Imports quotas for Ukrainian milk and cream will be 1,000 tonnes, dairy products – kefir, yoghurt and sour cream – 1,000 tonnes, butter, ice cream, cheese and cottage cheese – 750 tonnes, meat products (sausages, hotdogs and canned meat) – 250 tonnes and cement – 500 tonnes.

The quotas will be provided using "first-come, first-served" principle. The following duties will be imported on all Ukrainian goods imported above the quotas: 10% on milk and cream, 15% - other dairy products, from 15% to 20% plus EUR 500 per tonne on butter and cheese, 15% on meat products and 10% on cement. The duties on imports of milk and milk powder would not apply to local manufacturers.

The duties will be in effect until the end of 2016.