EC identifies priority sectors that will receive grants in Moldova

The European Commission (EC) has identified the priority sectors that will receive grants in Moldova: management of public finances, the social sector, and structural reforms. This has been stated by chief of the European Commission's Economics and Finances DG Jose E. Leandro, during a meeting with Minister of Economy and Commerce Igor Dodon. EC experts are currently in Chisinau to participate at the third session of the Subcommittee no. 2 on Finance, Economy and Statistics, within the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. “We believe that the Agreement between the EC and the Moldova Government for the allocation of funds will be ready to be signed in March 2007, while the first disbursement of financial resources will take place in May”, has mentioned Jose E. Leandro. According to his words, Moldova has proved, during the year 2006, its good macro-economical and fiscal discipline, achieving progress in solving macro-economical and financial issues. Igor Dodon has mentioned that in 2007-2008, it will be a priority for Moldova to have funds allotted for road infrastructure. Another subject in the discussion was about the elaboration of a National Development Plan for 2008-2011, meant to ensure the continuity of the EGPRSP and the Moldova-EU Action Plan policies. The activities that will not be covered by the country’s own financial resources will be suggested to be covered by external funding, has mentioned Dodon. The European experts have expressed their positive vision on the concept of NDP elaboration and have shown their availability to cooperate with the Moldovan authorities in order to identify middle-term national developmental priorities.