The key measures required at present are those aimed at containing the novel coronavirus pandemic. After this crisis is overcome, the necessity of reforms will be greater so as to accelerate the revitalization in a number of areas, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko said in a video interview for IPN.

The ambassador noted that not all the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are yet visible. It is important that now societies focus on the prevention of the spread of the virus and on public health. Later, after this difficult patch, actions will be taken to renew the economic life, to continue the activities related to trade, economic cooperation, etc. It’s clear that any measure that would help society develop will be important.

Peter Michalko underlined that the necessity of reforms will be greater after this pandemic is overcome. These will be needed to open up the possibility of recovering faster at economic and social levels and to make progress for the country, society. This way, the reforms and changes in post-crisis conditions will be even more topical. They will be needed to stimulate investment opportunities, this aspect being important as the investments represent a prospect for society, for employees who will be able to continue work, to get salaries, etc.

According to Peter Michalko, measures are being taken at EU level to protect the employees affected by the current situation. These include measures to create conditions for the enterprises to be able to survive in this difficult period and to later resume work and for the employees to return to work. An EU initiative on investment is planned in response to this crisis and this is estimated at €37 billion.

The European official stated the EU does not forget about the partner states that include Moldova. In this regard, they will take into account what is necessary and what initiatives can be launched for the partner states, for example, to support SMEs that will be probably the hardest hit. It is important that the necessary reforms be implemented so that revitalization is fast.

The interview given to IPN News Agency by the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko forms part of the series “Moldova’s Relations with Development Partners” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.