Vlad Filat: Donors' meeting in Brussels is a historical event for Moldova

The financial assistance to the value of US$2.6 billion (€1.9 billion) that will be provided by the foreign donors to Moldova consists of grants and loans, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on Monday, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said 52% of the sum represents grants offered by the European partners, while 48% is loans that the Government of Moldova will repay during 5-10 years at an interest rate of up to 1.2%. The grace period is 10-20 years. Among the donors are the EU member states, the United States, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the United Nations. The European Union and the European Commission provide together €550 million, which is the largest sum. The fianncial assistance of US$2.6 billion includes the about US$600 million promised by the IMF earlier, the US$262 million provided by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the €102 million granted by Romania. Vlad Filat said every donor specified what they offer the money for. It will be invested mainly in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, human rights, reform of the judiciary and other areas. Filat said the Government will announce how the money will be distributed. “It was a successful week in Brussels. The Consultative Donors' Meeting is a historical event for Moldova. I'm proud of Moldova and its people,” Vlad Filat said in a news conference. World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Melanie Marlett said the WB provided about US$300 million to the Moldovan Government. “We will help the Government implement the reforms they planned. We want that there is no poverty in Moldova, only important opportunities for investments,” she said. First Secretary of the EU's Delegation to Moldova Wolfgang Behrendt said the program of projects presented by the Government of Moldova to the donors is a reliable document that can really help Moldova make progress.