European ambassadors consider the money allocated by the EU to Moldova is used efficiently, while national experts assert the opposite. The issue was developed in the program “Politics” on TV 7 channel, IPN reports.
The new German Ambassador to Moldova Ulrike Maria Knotz said the funds allocated by the European states to Moldova are used for the right purpose and the German authorities monitor the use of the offered money. “We allocate money for developing the settlements, especially the rural ones. Financing will be yet provided for developing the water supply and sewerage systems in villages. Though I came to Moldova not long ago, as far as I know the money offered to Moldova by our state is used efficiently and your authorities were responsible. We know that the local authorities face problems, but they must realize that this financing is not perpetual and they must learn to make money themselves, enjoying also certain support from the central authorities,” stated the diplomat.
Swedish Ambassador in Chisinau Ingrid Tersman noted that even if they didn’t identify cases of appropriation of European funds, inspections are carried out regularly. “It’s known that corruption appears where there is money. That’s why we perform regular inspections after we offer the grants so as to see how the money is spent. A number of Moldovan settlements benefited from projects to repair schools, kindergartens, roads and aqueducts supported by us. But they must understand that this assistance will not be offered endlessly and they will have to cope by themselves,” she said.
On the other hand, Doctor of Economic Science Andrei Muravschii said the European money is often misused or used inefficiently. “To correctly manage these funds, we need a body that would monitor the use of this money,” he stated.
Starting with 2009, the EU has offered Moldova grants to the value of €800 million.