; Whereas the International Monetary Fund has approved a three-year loan package premised on the continuation of reforms focused on strengthening the economy, bolstering economic development, and promoting trade and investment; Whereas Moldova ratified an Association Agreement containing comprehensive free trade provisions with the European Union in 2014, and the Agreement became fully effective in July 2016; Whereas the people and Government of the United States supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Moldova and their expressed desire to deepen their association with the European Union; Whereas in a judgment in 2004, the European Court of Human Rights found that Transnistria was formed with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation and considered it under the effective authority or at least decisive influence of Russia ; Whereas the United States supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and on that basis participates as an observer in the 5+2 negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova; Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation banned the import of Moldovan wine in 2013, and Moldovan meats and produce in 2014, and has threatened to ban Moldovan agricultural products, curtail the supply of energy resources to Moldova, and impose stricter labor migration policies on the people of Moldova; Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation maintains a contingent of Russian troops and a stockpile of Russian military equipment and ammunition within the Transnistria region; Whereas, by September 2016, the Government of the Russian Federation had issued Russian passports to residents of the Transnistria region; Whereas the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Government of Moldova have called upon the Government of the Russian Federation to remove its troops from Moldovan territory