The Republic of Moldova will be able to much more efficiently access European funds for transport, energy and digital infrastructure through the agency of the European Interconnection Mechanism. An agreement to this effect was signed in Chisinau by Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Lilia Dabija and European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, who paid an official visit to Chisinau, IPN reports.
European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean told a news conference held on Tuesday together with Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean that after the signed agreement is ratified, the Republic of Moldova will become the first non-EU member state that will have access to this financing mechanism and will be able to access funds for transport, energy and digital infrastructure, alongside the EU member states.
“It is an occasion for professional and personal satisfaction as we can celebrate Europe Day by sighting Moldova’s association with the European Interconnection Mechanism – the most important financing instrument for infrastructure projects. Moreover, it is an unprecedented moment as Moldova is the first country outside the EU, which is associated with this mechanism. Railways, bridges, connections with Romania, energy networks, which are all so necessary to Moldova, are financed through this mechanism. The Moldovan authorities and companies can take part in calls for proposals. I hope the future call for proposals, of this autumn, to the value of €2.5 billion, will already involve projects from Moldova, within this mechanism. These funds of the European Interconnection Mechanism are successfully used in the European Union. Tomorrow, in Romania, I will officially sign the financing for the Ungheni-Ungheni bridge, which is financing obtained owing to the successful applying by Moldova and Romania for financing through this European Interconnection Mechanism. Moldova needs a fucntonal and modern transport network, while the European Union needs better connection infrastructure with the partners from its east,” stated Adina Vălean.
Premier Dorin Recean said the European funds for infrastructure will become more accessible and this means better conditions at home. “It is important for us to build Europe at home, to build infrastructure similar to that in Europe so that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova feel Europe at home, while the citizens from the European Union feel in the Republic of Moldova as at home. In the digital sector, an as important effort is made to build digital interconnection networks and to ensure interoperability. In the energy sector, beyond the interconnection networks, the decarbonization agenda is as important. I’m glad to see how we together build Europe at home,” noted Dorin Recean.
In total, the European Interconnection Mechanism has a budget of €26 billion projected for 2021-2027.
