The law on €1.9 billion in EU support for Moldova is expected to be voted in final form in March. The money will then be available to Moldova, said MEP Siegfried Mureșan at a joint press conference with the leader of the Moldovan legislature Igor Grosu, IPN reports.
"We managed to reach a pre-financing rate of 18 percent. What does that mean? When the pre-financing will come in April, instead of 115 million euros as was the initial proposal, 7 percent, 315 million euros will come. With 200 million more", said Siegfried Muresan.
According to the EU official, "This week, all three institutions of the European Union - the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Europe - unanimously agreed to support the Republic of Moldova with €1.9 billion over the next three years. It is the biggest economic support package ever granted to Moldova, not only by the European Union, but by anyone".
As soon as the law enters into force, the Moldovan authorities will explain to the European Commission how they intend to use this money by presenting a "Country Growth Plan", which will then be approved by the Commission.
"It is a help, a support for the Republic of Moldova that has not been since independence. It is proof that the European Union believes in Moldova. Our friends understand how important it is to help us in the integration process, especially now, when we are all going through complicated times," said Parliament's President Igor Grosu.
The head of the legislature also noted the major responsibility that will be on the shoulders of the authorities, as well as the need for an efficient capacity to capitalize and absorb funds.
"The ball is now in our court. We are happy, but we have to think how to get it up and running quickly. The Republic of Moldova will present a list of projects to the Commission, which we will propose for funding, such as the Chisinau bypass, bridges across the Prut, investments in rail infrastructure, thousands of projects in the field of agriculture", said Igor Grosu.
The European Parliament and EU member states have agreed on a new €1.9 billion support plan for Moldova. The support is being given to accelerate Moldova's socio-economic reforms, strengthen resilience and advance EU integration. Another target is to mitigate the profound impact on Moldova caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
