Moldova runs the risk of not receiving about $ 100 million in grant aid from the United States due to the government's failure to renew two agreements, which expire on May 31.
In particular, this is due to the fact that the current interim government of Moldova cannot yet find a consensus to adopt a decision on signing amendments in order to extend the implementation period of two agreements with the United States on grant aid totaling about $170 million to increase trade and investment and promote more effective democratic governance, of which only about $75.8 million has been received so far. In particular, the decision on signing amendments to extend the terms of the agreements until the end of 2025 was postponed by the government on Wednesday due to the lack of a quorum. In particular, the Minister of Justice Fadei Nagacevschi was absent at the meeting of the Cabinet, and the governor of Gagauzia, Irina Vlah, abstained from voting, insisting that the conclusion of the Ministry of Justice was needed. Consideration of these issues was postponed until Thursday, May 27, but the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 8:30 a.m. did not take place. According to some reports, this is due to the fact that a number of ministers did not attend the meeting. At the same time, Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi stressed yesterday that the adoption by the current interim government of resolutions on the extension of the implementation period for 2 grant agreements with the United States does not contradict the current legislation, since the matter concerns grant assistance, and these agreements do not imply financial obligations of Moldova. It should be noted that the two agreements with the United States, signed in Chisinau on September 28, 2016, expire on May 31, 2021. The American side initiated the signing of amendment N11 to them, which would extend the validity of the documents until December 31, 2025. According to the Ministry of Finance, the development assistance agreement between the governments of Moldova and the United States to increase trade and investment in key sectors is designed to promote cooperation between the two countries, promote economic growth and increase investment in the most promising sectors of Moldova, improve the business environment by introducing reforms in the business and tax sectors. To achieve its stated goals, the United States supports efforts to further reduce administrative barriers to business, streamline the tax system, reduce opportunities for corruption, improve access to information, and strengthen public-private dialogue. At present, the total amount of the grant provided for by this agreement and 10 amendments to it is $90.62 million. At the same time, Moldova has disbursed $34.1 million through aid projects under this agreement. At the same time, the Moldova-US aid agreement for the promotion of more effective and accountable governance, provides for the allocation of grants for the implementation of projects aimed at creating a more effective and responsible system of democratic governance in Moldova, involving civil society in the decision-making process, strengthening local government, conducting reforms in a number of sectors. At present, the total amount of the grant provided for by this agreement and 10 amendments to it is $76.91 million. At the same time, through the aid projects under this agreement, Moldova has been disbursed gratuitous financial assistance totaling $41.65 million. It is planned that Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi and Director of the USAID Mission to Moldova Scott Hocklander will sign the N11 amendments to these agreements. // 27.05.2021 - InfoMarket.
