President Maia Sandu on Wednesday will have a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will pay a visit to Chisinau. The two officials will discuss the United States’ support for the modernization of the Republic of Moldova: economic development, energy security strengthening, implementation of democratic reforms and advancement on the European path, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the presidential institution.

This will be Antony Blinken’s second visit to the Republic of Moldova after that made in March 2022.

According to the quoted source, the United States is one of the most important partners and supporters of Moldova. Since 1992, the U.S. Government has supported Moldova with funding exceeding $2.5 billion. After the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the United States has provided Moldova with $774 million in financial assistance, $300 million of which is intended to overcome the energy crisis and strengthen energy security. Of these funds, $80 million was used to partially pay the natural gas and electricity bills for low-income citizens, whereas $135 million was earmarked to increase domestic electricity generation and build a 400kV high-voltage line through the Straseni (Moldova) and Gutinas (Romania) substations that will connect Moldova to Romania’s electricity grid, thus facilitating the integration into the European energy grid.

President Maia Sandu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold a joint press conference at 17:30, at the Presidential Palace (entrance from Maria Cebotari St). Journalists will have access based on accreditations starting at 15:15 and no later than 15:45.