IMF will return to Moldova immediately after installment of new Government

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed its readiness to open talks with the Government of Moldova, but only after its installment. A response letter from the IMF came to the Parliament of Moldova on Friday, Prime Minister designate Vlad Filat informed, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. “The letter says that immediately after the investiture of the new Government, the IMF will send a mission to Chisinau to prepare the resumption of the talks with the Government of Moldova so that it could overcome the budget deficit, internal debt and other difficulties,” Filat said. According to Filat, the new agreement with the IFM could be signed later in October and the resources for covering the budget deficit would be freed in mid-November so that Moldova pays the most urgent debts. Filat also said that no ideas of cutting salaries or jobs will be accepted when discussing the terms of the lending agreement. Veaceslav Ionita, chairman of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, predicted that the IMF could grant Moldova a US$300-500 million loan. According to the Premier designate, after Moldova signs the agreement with the IMF it could have access to other resources. This year, Moldova will receive €30 million in financial assistance from the European Commission to cover the budget deficit. Asked about the loans promised by Russia and China, of US$500 million and, respectively, US$1 billion, Vlad Filat said that he has seen no document yet. “We will examine the conditions and if they are favorable and in Moldova's national interests, we will open the talks,” Filat said.