Romania is ready to conclude a new Agreement on grant aid with Moldova to accelerate the country's development, advance it along the European path and carry out democratic reforms.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry stated this, officially announcing that the Intergovernmental Agreement on a program of technical and financial assistance based on gratuitous financial assistance totaling 100 million euros, provided by Romania to Moldova, signed on April 27, 2010, expired on March 28, 2021. The agreement allowed Romania to fund landmark projects such as the rehabilitation and modernization of more than 1,000 kindergartens and schools in Moldova or to contribute to the development of the Iasi-Chisinau gas pipeline, a strategic energy connection project between Romania and Moldova. The foreign ministry of the neighboring country indicated that Romania made constant efforts to improve and expand the provisions of the agreement, and these steps were reflected in the development and entry into force of 5 additional protocols. Taking into account the imminent expiration of the Agreement, Romania in early November 2020 proposed to Moldova to conclude a new additional 6th protocol, which would allow not only to extend the term of the agreement and use the unused funds totaling 100 million euros in future projects, but also to expand the areas in which assistance can be provided. As noted by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, at the same time, the draft 6th protocol also contained a number of additional elements proposed by the Romanian side, which, once already adopted by the Moldovan government, were designed to justify the expectations associated with supporting Moldova's European course, observing democratic principles and rule of law, ensuring the full implementation by Moldova of the provisions of the Association Agreement with the EU and carrying out the necessary reforms with an emphasis on the reform of justice, ensuring the conditions for the consolidation and protection of Romania's investment presence in Moldova, as well as the consolidation of the linguistic, cultural and historical commonality between Romania and Moldova. The Moldovan government responded to the Romanian proposal only on February 26, 2021, submitting a draft text that differs from the proposed protocol N6 of the Romanian side and does not include the additional elements mentioned above. During the last bilateral talks in mid-March, representatives of the Moldovan government also stated that the interim government of the Republic of Moldova will not have the necessary powers to complete the procedures for concluding the agreement. “As a result, the Romanian Foreign Ministry, although it took all possible steps within its competence to extend the 2010 agreement, is obliged to express regret over its termination,” the foreign ministry of the neighboring country said in a statement. At the same time, the Romanian Foreign Ministry assured that Romania is ready to conclude a new agreement that will fulfill the functions of the 2010 Agreement. // 29.03.2021 - InfoMarket.
