The European Union and Moldova have signed an agreement on Moldova’s participation in the EU Program for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2014-2020  (COSME). Thus, Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership country that joined this program, IPN reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the participation in COSME ensures Moldova’s access to different projects, such as the Enterprise Europe Network, and represents a new step in the economic cooperation between Moldova and the EU. The program will offer assistance to Moldova to develop and enhance the competitiveness of the SME sector, contributing thus to the successful implementation of the Association Agreement that covers the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the EU.

Now that the agreement on COSME was signed, the Ministry of Economy is to plan the activities related to Moldova’s participation in the program. The Ministry will inform the interested sides at national level, will provide support to those that are eligible to work out project proposals competitive at EU level and will encourage the experts’ participation in the COSME Committees.