More than 200,000 inhabitants of Moldova will benefit from improved water supply and energy infrastructure following the implementation of 18 initiatives that will be supported by the European Union until 2020. The budget totals €43 million, IPN reports.

In the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the project on February 15, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Liviu Volconovici said this is important support for the Government of the Republic of Moldova and for the local public authorities.

EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said it is a project designed to improve the living standards. The European Union has zero tolerance of corruption and all the purchases within the project will be made in accordance with the European practices and will be strictly monitored.

Germany’s Ambassador to Moldova Julia Monar said the given cooperation is a signal of confidence in the implementation bodies. She voiced hope that all the actions within the project will be implemented transparently and honestly so that the end-users, the people, really feel an improvement in the quality of life. She called on the local authorities to work out cooperation strategies and be ready for development.

Romania’s Ambassador to Moldova Daniel Ionita said that by such types of projects one can best realize the advantages of the irreversible rapprochement between Moldova and the EU. “Romania constantly supported regional development projects and is ready to continue to offer expertise in the field. I assure you that Romania was and will remain a serious partner and firm supporter of Moldova’s European course,” stated Daniel Ionita.

The project will be implemented in two stages. At the first stage, €3.5 million will be allocated for working out the technical documentation and requirements for the 18 initiatives. The second stage, which is the implementation process, will start in 2019.