“The objective is to keep the relations with the International Monetary Fund, but not at any cost,” stated Premier Ion Chicu. In a video interview at IPN, the official said a pause in the relations with the IMF could be taken if the given institution opposes investments in infrastructure or insists on the rise in gas tariffs.

The official said the IMF is an international financial institution and a partner with whom the Moldovan authorities cooperated in different periods of time, successfully or less successfully. There were times when the country had no relations with the IMF, but it didn’t mean that the relations were worse. A program with the IMF should exist as this also entails reforms besides financial support.

Premier Chicu noted he would like a new program to be signed after the current program expires next March. But the IMF is a partner that imposes conditions that sometimes can obstruct the Government’s development plans and investments in infrastructure. A solution should be thus identified. If the IMF insists on not making investments, a pause could be taken.

According to the Premier, two risks can be experienced in the cooperation with the IMF after next March – the opposition to making investments in infrastructure and the demand to raise gas tariffs for end users. The previous government undertook to do this. In a meeting with representatives of the IMF, this condition was imposed on the government. Two days earlier, an agreement to cheapen the gas that will be supplied to Moldova in 2020 by US$70 was reached in Moscow. If the IMF insists on increasing tariffs, a break with this institution would be taken.

The interview “Prime Minister Ion Chicu’s view about the state of affairs in Moldovan society at the intersection of years” forms part of the series. “Crossroads of years through the angle of the ideal of living better at home” that also involves President Igor Dodon and the leaders of the main parliamentary parties Andrei Năstase, Pavel Fillip and Maia Sandu.