EU provides €66m to support poverty reduction and economic growth in Moldova

The European Commission on June 1 adopted the Annual Action Programme 2010 for the Republic of Moldova, worth a €66 million. The new cooperation programme will support the anti-poverty agenda of the new Moldovan government seeking to stimulate economic growth throughout the country, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a press release from the EU Delegation to Moldova. A special focus of the programme is put on reducing poverty in rural areas. Moreover, the assistance programme will support developments in the fields of energy and biomass, in order to contribute to a more secure and sustainable energy production in the Republic of Moldova. This support aims to reduce Moldova's almost complete dependence on foreign primary energy sources. “Moldova faces formidable challenges that require decisive and determined action on reform. We stand by Moldova in these efforts. Today's decision proves that our support is real and substantial,” said Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy. This €66 million allocation is provided through the EU's European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which sets aside assistance funds annually to Moldova and 16 other partner states along the EU's Eastern and Southern borders. Moldova has received similar allocations in the previous years under the ENPI, supporting for example the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the country. The allocations from the ENPI are the main source of EU assistance for the partner states along the eastern border of the EU and the Mediterranean. In addition to ENPI assistance funds, Moldova also receives further support from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and other thematic programs.