Moldova to get over €100 million from EU in 2013

In 2013, Moldova will get over €100 million in assistance from the European Union, making it the country with the largest assistance per capita among the Eastern Partnership members, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman stated at a news conference on Monday. This year, the EU has offered Moldova €122 million, including €28 million in addition to the initial amount projected, in recognition of Moldova's solid pace of reforms. In another development, Natalia Gherman said negotiations on the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement are expected to be completed next summer and then signed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2013. Meanwhile, the parties should reach an agreement on whether the Association Agreement's preamble will make mention of a membership perspective for Moldova. Until then, starting December, negotiations will be held on the association agenda which will concern the implementation of the Agreement's provisions, added Natalia Gherman.