The Chisinau International Airport concession contract must be terminated, while management rights must return to the state. The termination is possible because of reasonable suspicion that the interests of the state have been harmed. Moreover, there is reasonable suspicion that some of the money invested in the airport comes from bank fraud. The statements were issued by President Igor Dodon after the Supreme Security Council meeting, which took place today, August 23.
The concession of the airport implies the transfer of the right of management to a private investor for a period of 49 years. In turn, the private operator has to invest 244 million euros.
"From the very start, I want to mention that, in the Supreme Security Council's opinion, there are reasonable suspicions that the state was harmed. For example, in the concession agreement it was indicated that the private investor has the right to collect nine euros from each passenger. Last year alone, the number of passengers at Chisinau International Airport was 2.8 million passengers. Simple math suggests that in 2018 alone, the investor has accumulated EUR 24 million at our expense" highlighted the head of state. According to him, if this number is multiplied by 49 years, the amount would greatly exceed the amount of the agreed upon investments.
The head of state added that the termination of the contract can be done if the violation of the terms is established. The investigating bodies are looking into potential violations. "According to the contract, the private operator agreed upon investing 160 million euros during the first and the second state (2014-2018), yet the operator reports that it has invested 78 million euros. An audit is needed", said the president, adding that there are reasonable suspicions that some of the money came from the theft of the billion.
