The United States offers Moldova US$10 million for securing the border. The announcement was made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, who paid a visit to Chisinau on March 30, IPN reports.
According to a communiqué from the Government, in a meeting with Prime Minster Iurie Leanca, the interlocutors discussed the bilateral relations, the U.S. support for the efforts to modernize Moldova, the Transnistrian conflict settlement and the regional developments. The Premier said that Victoria Nuland’s visit perfectly fits the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Moldova, which was launched in Washington at the beginning of March, together with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
The officials discussed aspects concerning the assistance that the U.S. Government will provide to Moldova for modernization projects, including for making Moldova’s borders more transparent and safe.
Victoria Nuland also met with President Nicolae Timofti. “We appreciate the constant and consistent support offered over the last two decades, especially in this period when the regional situation has worsened,” said the head of state. He added that the United States has developed multiple programs in Moldova, playing a crucial role in democratizing Moldovan society and spurring Moldova’s progress on the path to European integration.
After a meeting with the U.S. official, Minister of Foreign Affair and European Integration Natalia Gherman told a news conference that this visit represents a signal of support for the democratic transformations in Moldova. “We want to develop this dialogue and the relations of friendship. We ascertained that the bilateral relations between Moldova and the U.S. are now better than ever. Such a description was given by Missis Nuland when characterizing the quality of the bilateral dialogue,” she stated.
She also said that the Moldovan-American Strategic Dialogue and a bilateral group on energy matters have been recently launched. “We welcome the fact that after a pause of almost nine years we launched the Moldovan-American committee on economic and investment cooperation. We thank the U.S. for providing over one billion dollars for the country’s development and democratic transformation through different programs and projects in 22 years of cooperation,” said Natalia Gherman, adding that they also discussed the regional events.
For her part, Victoria Nuland reiterated that the U.S. supports Moldova’s European course and its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “All the Moldovan citizens, including those from Transnistria and Gagauzia, will equally benefit from the European integration process,” she stated, reiterating the necessity of continuing the fight against corruption, especially the reforms in the justice and internal affairs sectors.
The Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs approved of Moldova’s decision to send a military contingent to take part in the international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Natalia Gherman said this act represents Moldova’s contribution to ensuring international security.
