Moldova gets first tranche of EU financial assistance

Moldova Saturday received the first tranche of 15 million euros of the financial assistance provided by the EU in budget support, Minister of Fiance Veaceslav Negruta said in an interview, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. According to the minister, the financial assistance in the total amount of 26.1million euros is designed to develop and strengthen the cooperation relations with Moldova. The money will be used to reduce the budget deficit and settle the major payments. The democracy support package intended for the Parliament of Moldova will come in the near future. For a longer term, given the opening of talks over a new agreement with Moldova on January 12, 2010, the EU plans to offer Moldova macroeconomic assistance, including for creating a free trade zone.