Germany will increase by 7 million euros the support provided to Moldova in the development process.
This was announced by German Development Minister Svenja Schulze at a meeting with Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita. According to the press service of the government, she emphasized that Germany will continue to support the efforts of the government to overcome the current crises and the assistance given to Moldovan development programs will increase depending on the needs of Moldova. The assistance will be increased by 7 million euros. The sides discussed the cooperation agenda between the two states. In particular, they referred to assistance for enterprises and investments (FACEM Foundation), energy, dual education and development of communities. Natalia Gavrilita said that the government succeeded in managing the multiple crises of the past year, at the same time creating preconditions for recovery and even economic growth in 2023. In this respect, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers mentioned the implementation of an expansionist fiscal policy, which provides for measures to stimulate economic growth, increase investments and jobs. According to her, the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development has launched a number of new tools to support the private sector, a new legislation on the German model of education, which is designed to provide qualified personnel for the real economy, is being promoted. Thus, the state will provide 50 percent of the training costs for dual education students, and partner companies will cover the rest. "We strive to be not only a consumer, but also a provider of security and stability in the EU space, we have already demonstrated this by managing refugee flows, border traffic and the security situation last year," said Natalia Gavrilita. In this context, she mentioned the recent introduction of temporary protection measures for refugees from Ukraine, since Moldova is the only non-EU country to grant them such a high status. Referring to the energy crisis, the Premier underlined that while Moldova used to be 100% dependent on one supplier of natural gas, last year it diversified the sources of supply and made strategic reserves, and now the right bank of the Dniester does not consume gas from Gazprom. Next in the order of priorities is increasing energy efficiency in both the public and residential sectors, as well as increasing its own generating capacity, including through renewable energy sources. The officials also touched upon measures to combat the consequences of the hybrid war, reforms initiated in the justice and anti-corruption sectors, and human settlements and community development projects, including those supported by Germany, which fit into the "European Village" National Program. Svenja Schulze noted that Moldova has faced many challenges since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, but the authorities have successfully overcome them and continue to develop the country. "You did an impressive act by opening the doors of homes for refugees. Moldova remains the country with the largest number of refugees from Ukraine per capita. You support them even now by different measures, and we, for our part, want to be by your side, join our efforts and come with help that corresponds to the needs of Moldova," said Svenja Schulze. //20.01.2023 - InfoMarket.
