The first tranche of the EU Investment Plan for Moldova worth €1.8 billion for 2025-2027 will reach the country in the first months of 2025 - Maia Sandu
As the President of Moldova stated, the relevant agreement was reached during her working visit to Brussels, where she agreed to accelerate access to European funding, advance negotiations on joining the Single Euro Payments Area and abolish roaming charges. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen relations between Moldova and the European Union and accelerate the country's European path, confirmed by citizens in the constitutional referendum. Maia Sandu held a number of meetings in Brussels with the heads of European institutions and representatives of the new European Commission, as well as with the leaders of various European political groups represented in the European Parliament. The head of state discussed with her European partners the energy context and the risks of a possible crisis this winter, emphasizing the importance of EU support for the stability of Moldova and the region. The President of Moldova also agreed with her European partners to complete negotiations on Moldova's accession to the Single Euro Payments Area in 2025, so that Moldovan citizens no longer pay commissions for transactions with banks in EU countries, and to completely abolish roaming charges. An important topic of the visit was the EU's financial assistance for the development of Moldova, in particular for the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, the modernization of infrastructure and settlements. This autumn, the European Commission approved an investment plan for Moldova worth 1.8 billion euros for 2025-2027, aimed at stimulating the economy, creating jobs and attracting investment in infrastructure. "We agreed that the first tranche will be sent to Moldova in the first months of next year," Maia Sandu said. The head of state also spoke about the positive results of the judges' evaluation process and stressed the importance of strengthening the fight against corruption, which is necessary to increase citizens' trust in state institutions and bring them closer to the European Union. As previously reported by the Permanent Representation of the EU in our country, the financial assistance provided to Moldova by the European Union in the amount of 1.8 billion euros within the framework of the Economic Growth Plan for Moldova includes 300 million euros in grants and 1.5 billion euros in loans on very favorable terms. For example, Moldova will start repaying in 10 years, from 2034, which will provide the economy with enough time to develop. The repayment period will be up to 40 years. The rate, which is approximately 3%, is much lower than the rate at which Moldova can currently receive loans. The European Union allocates funds for the following purposes: new roads, bridges and railway infrastructure; energy security - to complete a new power transmission line and begin construction of 2 more, which will connect Moldova to the EU power grid; construction of 2 new well-equipped hospitals in Cahul and Balti; improving access to financing and supporting 25 thousand enterprises, including small family-owned ones, etc. Moldova’s economic growth plan of 1.8 billion euros was announced in Chisinau on October 10 by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. // 12.12.2024 — InfoMarket
