The Republic of Moldova will benefit from €746 million for stabilization. The money will be allocated by the European Union through its European Neighborhood Instrument for the period between 2014 and 2020, the representatives of the Foreign Policy Association (APE) Victor Chirila and Victoria Bucataru said in a news conference at IPN, where these presented the new elements of the reviewed European Neighborhood Policy.
The EU planned significant financial resources for the stabilization of the countries from its neighborhood - over €15 billion overall. “Though the budget support for Moldova was suspended, the EU continues to help Moldova through specific programs so that financial assistance continues to be provided,” said the APE programs director Victoria Bucataru.
The new European Neighborhood Policy stipulates that to maximize the impact of the financial assistance, the Republic of Moldova will have to achieve visible results in doing economic, social and political reforms. “If these results are late to appear, the €746 million will surely not reach our country. If this commitment does not exist, not only the political support will be minimal, but also the financial support will be reviewed,” said the APE executive director Victor Chirila.
According to him, the political class in Moldova must take into account the change not only of the EU’s tone, but also of its perception of Moldova. “It’s time to understand that the period of ‘romanticism’ in the relations with the EU is over. This year is a relevant example and if we want to obtain the European integration perspective one day, it is very important to mobilize ourselves, at the level of whole society, as soon as possible,” stated Chirila.
Another provision of the reviewed European Neighborhood Policy envisions the significant extension of the possibilities of taking part in the Erasmus+ program for the partners, including by offering increased financing. The EU will also cooperate with its partners in combating misinformation.
“Furthermore, we should have a very clear strategy now for engaging the local public authorities and the regions in implementing the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. So far the whole attention was focused on the central authorities. If we do not have an efficient strategy for communicating with the regions, we will definitely be behind schedule in implementing the accord,” stated Victoria Bucataru.
