Ukraine, Moldova have signed a protocol to the bilateral agreement on international road traffic, which increases the number of days for staying vehicles on the territory of Moldova.

According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the protocol was signed during the negotiations of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip during the GUAM Summit in Chisinau.

"The protocol regulates the issues of regular international transportation and increases the number of days allowed for vehicles to stay in Moldova," the press service said.

In the course of the negotiations between the prime ministers of Ukraine and Moldova they also referred to the continuation of the implementation of the road map of cooperation between countries, outlined during the previous negotiations of the heads of government.

Groysman said that most of the issues that had not been resolved over the years have now been removed from the agenda: namely, the arrangement of joint checkpoints, the implementation of infrastructure projects, the interconnection of power systems and environmental issues.

"We have created a road map of joint actions, and now there is a noticeable progress between our countries. Most of them are being implemented," the Ukrainian prime minister said.

Philip, in turn, said that Ukraine and Moldova have "good times of relationship". "And I advocate their deepening," he said.

The heads of government said that both countries should develop relations by implementing the existing road map, primarily in the field of transport, strengthening energy security, modernizing border infrastructure, and deepening cooperation in the environmental sphere.

According to the Moldovan prime minister, environmental issues will be discussed at the expert level in the coming weeks.

Filip thanked Groysman for the role that Ukraine plays in the settlement of the Transdniestria problem.

In addition, Groysman said that Kyiv will not impede the movement of trains between Russia and Moldova.

"Ukraine will never make a decision that could harm Moldovan partners," he said at a press conference after meeting with Filip, asked about whether Moldovans will suffer if Ukraine interrupts railway communication with Russia and will ban the transit of trains to Moldova.

The prime ministers of the two countries said that trade exchange between Ukraine in the first half of 2018 increased compared to the same period in 2017 by more than 40%. They expressed satisfaction with the results achieved, adding that the volume of trade between the countries "has almost reached $500 million."

Philip said that during the meeting an agreement was signed that allows Moldovans to stay on the territory of Ukraine more than 90 days a year.

"This is a very important agreement for transport workers who do not fit within these deadlines. We expect that the signed agreement will soon be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada and come into force," the Moldovan prime minister said.

He also said that significant progress has been made in the discussion of environmental issues, demarcation of borders and mutual recognition of property.

Groysman said that in the GUAM member countries the question of introducing free trade is being discussed and worked out, which will also contribute to a simplified trade regime between commodity producers in four countries.