The international donors that came together in Paris for the ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform decided to offer financial support to Moldova and also assistance in the form of projects and equipment, said Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. He noted that the working groups made concrete requests and the assistance pledged to Moldova is now added up and an exhaustive list will be presented in the near future, IPN reports.<\/p>\n
In a news conference after the donors\u2019 meeting, Nicu Popescu said not only financial assistance was promised, but also assistance through the existing support mechanisms, including equipment, generators for the energy sector, hospitals and public institutions. Projects to thermally insulate buildings and to outfit the police, including the border police, will be financed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is financial assistance and also support in the form of concrete equipment, which is as necessary for making sure that the Republic of Moldova is not affected the next few months. We are also discussing concrete commitments with our partners so as to obtain access to gas or electricity resources. These subjects are also very important. Therefore, I would not like to present only particular figures and sums of money as the type of assistance that we want and that our partners offer to us is much broader,\u201d stated the Moldovan official.<\/p>\n
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that Russia launched energy blackmail that has consequences for Moldova and the country now experiences a 50% decline in the ordinary natural gas supplies. In the energy sector, the country is affected by the destruction of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure as Moldova remained without Ukrainian electricity supplies. It was also affected socially and economically. \u201cThe participants in this platform undertook important commitments, support intended primarily for the energy sector as winter is approaching and we must help Moldova to secure gas and electricity supplies,\u201d stated Catherine Colonna.<\/p>\n
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock noted that the destructions in Ukraine have a direct impact on Moldova, including in terms of power supply. \u201cToday in Paris, we reaffirmed our determination as Europeans to support Moldova,\u201d stated Annalena Baerbock.<\/p>\n
Romania\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu said that together with the launch of this platform in April, Moldova has been offered support to be able to cope with the challenges. \u201cThe Republic of Moldova faces wide-ranging humanitarian and economic challenges. Romania during many years has supported Moldova\u2019s entry into the European Union and the Parliament, Government and President of the Republic of Moldova follow firmly the road of accession to the EU. This shows that the European integration is a powerful engine for reforms and prosperity,\u201d stated the Romanian official.<\/p>\n
The donors\u2019 conference is co-chaired by Germany, France and Romania. The first two similar conferences were held earlier this year in Berlin and Bucharest, while the third one will take place next year in Chisinau.<\/p>\n