Moldova president sees move towards Russia-led trade union in 2017

FILE PHOTO: Moldovan President Igor Dodon attends a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia, June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Host Photo Agency/Pool/File Photo

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's Moscow-backed President Igor Dodon said on Friday he hoped the ex-Soviet nation would be granted observer status to a Russia-led customs union before the end of 2017, despite a government push for closer integration with the European Union.

Since his inauguration in 2016, Dodon has been at loggerheads with the pro-Western government over his desire for Moldova to abandon a trade agreement with the European Union and move further into Russia's orbit.