Obama administration is ready to build strong partnership with Moldova, Hillary Clinton

“The Obama administration is ready to build a strong partnership with the Republic of Moldova, while the signing of the Compact Agreement is a victory for the Moldovan Government,” said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the signing of the US$262 million Agreement for Financing the Compact Program between the Government of Moldova and the Millennium Challenge Corporation on January 22, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the executive. The Compact Program includes investment projects aimed at rehabilitating the roads, promoting high value agriculture and reconstructing the irrigation infrastructure. The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca and MCC Executive Director Daniel Yohannes, in the presence of Prime Minister Vlad Filat and the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, at the U.S. Department of State. “The Country Threshold Program implemented earlier in Moldova with the support of the MCC created already an environment in which the innovation technology, productivity and improved access to markets can produce results,” Daniel Yohannes said. He stressed that the MCC aims to support a sustainable economic growth in Moldova and the Government of Moldova will bear responsibility for implementing the Compact Program transparently and efficiently. For her part, Hillary Clinton said the agreement represents a new cheaper in the relations between Moldova and the United States. “In order to become eligible and sign this agreement, Moldova was to make progress and undertook reforms. We are glad that Moldova, alongside other states that we support, will continue the U.S.’s activities aimed at strengthening democracy,” she said. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the signing of the agreement was a historical event for Moldova. “We covered a long and difficult path to come here, but the Moldovan people want a different life and struggle for this. We want to build a state of law, create a functional economy and become part of the EU. We will need our friends’ support in our efforts,” he said. “By signing this agreement, the U.S. sends a clear support signal to Moldova. In the name of the Government and the Moldovan people, I thank you for everything you do for us. We assure you that all the money you will provide under the Compact Program will be used for the people’s benefit.”