The European Union supports six projects designed to improve the relationship between the two sides of the Nistru. The projects, which form part of the Support to Confidence Building Measures Program, were presented in a public event in Chisinau on March 7.

The six projects are managed by nongovernmental organizations working on the right and left sides of the Nistru and are aimed at developing social protection systems for persons with disabilities, developing common initiatives of NGOs and improving access and quality of community services for the inhabitants of both banks of the river.

Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola is convinced that the given projects will contribute to the rapprochement of the two sides of the Nistru. “I think it is important for the people to understand what units and what separates them. They are used to these divisions and forget that things could be different. The people will use the opportunities of interaction and cooperation without involving politics,” stated the diplomat.

In the same connection, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Gheorghe Balan, who attended the event, expressed his confidence that the projects will be generally aimed at improving the relations between the people from both sides of the Nistru and will contribute, in particular, to the observance of the human rights, promotion of the freedom of expression and improvement of life at community level. “With such cooperation, we will improve the living standards in both of the regions, while the financial support helps us to make real changes” he said.

Projects manager at the EU Delegation to Moldova Victoria Onofreiciuc stated for IPN that the six selected projects started work recently or will be launched soon. The European Union contributes 80% of the budget, while the other part is covered by the project coordinating organization.

The sum invested by the EU in the six projects totals €3.7 million.