The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is working out a new country strategy for Moldova for 2015-2020, which lays emphasis on environment protection, the head of the Austrian Development Cooperation Office Gerhard Schaumberger announced in a meeting with Minister of the Environment Sergiu Palihovici, IPN reports, quoting a communique of the Ministry.

The ADA intends to develop cooperation in the area of environment protection, especially as regards the environment and climate action, which are component parts of the Association Agreement with the EU, and to extend its environment projects portfolio in Moldova. A new project entitled “Support in the area of institutional framework in the water and sanitation sector” is to be launched this year. It will last for 6-8 years.

The cooperation with ADA represents an opportunity for Moldova to improve the people’s living conditions by sanitation and to thus become more visible and attractive from investment and touristic viewpoints, said Minister Sergiu Palihovici. The ADA was asked to help carry out the institutional analysis in the environmental sector for implementing the Environment Strategy and the Climate Change Adjustment Strategy.

The cooperation partnership between the Ministry of Environment of Moldova and the Austrian Development Agency is based on the cooperation and development agreement between the Government of Austria and the Government of Moldova that was signed in Vienna in 2008. Sides’ objectives are to reduce poverty, ensure peace and human security and protect the environment.