Denmark, together with the partners, is determined to increase the European Union’s Macro-Financial Assistance for the Republic of Moldova to up to €295 million. Moldova is an important friend and partner of Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated in a press beefing held in Chisinau together with President Maia Sandu, IPN reports.
“Before coming here, I yesterday visited Ukraine and saw myself the destructions caused there by Russia’s illegal war and brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure of Ukraine, which evidently affect your country too. The consequences, first of all for the price of gas and electrical energy, are evident and represent a big challenge for you and for us all. We, within the European Union, work a lot to ease this burden and are categorically determined to increase the Macro-Financial Assistance for the Republic of Moldova to €295 million,” stated Mette Frederiksen.
The Danish official noted that despite the difficulties faced by Moldova, the country opened its arms to the Ukrainian refugees. Denmark reiterated its long-term commitment for Moldova in these difficult times. “We also discussed the green transition and we believe that we have a number of sectors in which we can cooperate very closely,” stated Mette Frederiksen.
“The support for our partners has never been more important. It goes to bilateral support, from country to country, and within the European Union. We want to further strengthen the friendship and partnership between our countries. We realize that coping with these challenges is a task for the whole continent,” said Mette Frederiksen.
President Maia Sandu said that despite the difficulties, Moldova continues to follow the path of democracy. Last year Moldova was appreciated in the Global State of Democracy Report as a bright point on the map of Europe and climbed 49 spots to the 40th in the Press Freedom Index. “Moldova now struggles to defend its peace, democracy and freedom, to strengthen its institutions and to improve the living conditions of the population, but a democratic state cannot resist independently in our region that is dominated by war and Russia’s interests. We can survive here as a democratic state only by joining the European Union,” stated Maia Sandu.
The Moldovan official noted the support pledged under the Moldovan Support Platform and voiced hope that Moldova will resume cooperation with the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and Moldova and Denmark will step up bilateral cooperation in different areas. “I would like the two countries to cooperative in the field of renewable energy. The energy crisis we are experiencing made us lay emphasis on the country’s energy independence, especially on renewable or green sources,” said President Sandu.
She said that Moldova this year starts to implement a national solid waste management project and also undertook an ambitious carbon emissions reduction commitment for the next decades. “We want to cooperate with Denmark in these sectors. We are interested in intensifying economic exchanges and increasing Danish investments in the Republic of Moldova. Thirty-six companies with Danish capital operate in Moldova at present and this figure can definitely increase. Economic growth, trade, cooperation between countries ensure the people’s welfare,” said the Moldovan official.
“We are determined to continue developing the Republic of Moldova and to offer the citizens a better life, but we need peace to develop. Ukraine must win this existential war, while the international community should do its best for this to happen faster. Peace should be restored in Europe.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen paid a short visit to Moldova as part of her trip to Ukraine.
