A mission of the European Union will come to Moldova in September and representatives of the Government will discuss different issues with this, including an extended EU assistance program for the local public authorities of Moldova, Prime Minister Maia Sandu stated in a program on the public TV channel Moldova 1. According to her, they are already considering possibilities of receiving assistance for several localities, but the Government wants this assistance to be extended, IPN reports.
“We chose to diversify the assistance model that will be implemented by the Government, but also want assistance that is allocated directly to the local public administration as only this way we can enhance local public authorities’ independence. I’m glad that we are now seriously and practically discussing particular projects intended for several localities and a much broader program of direct support for localities. I hope in September we will have more details and will be able to announce good news for all the country’s localities,” stated the Premier.
Maia Sandu noted that such a project is being negotiated for several Moldovan settlements, but the Government is making effort to persuade the European Union to extend this project so that it covers more localities and is implemented from 2020 already.
She also said that three financing agreements were signed during her last visit to Brussels. One of the agreements envisions the provision of support for two Moldovan towns - Cahul and Ungheni. The money will be spent at the local level as planned. Another two grants will be used to fight corruption and to implement the Association Agreement. “Most of the money we expect will come in the form of budget support. The largest part of the macro-financial assistance about which we have spoken during the past two years will be disbursed primarily this September,” stated Maia Sandu.
The official added they could also ask for a loan from the Government of Romania, noting the renegotiation of the agreement with the International Monetary Fund is highly improbable.
