The EU has mobilized more than 1.09 billion euros in loans and grants for Moldova as part of its comprehensive support package since October 2021.
This was stated in a joint press statement following the 7th meeting of the EU-Moldova Association Council in Brussels on February 7 in the framework of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. The EU also recognized the importance of the Moldova Support Platform, initiated by Germany, France and Romania and supported by the G7 and EU partners. The joint statement says the EU reiterated its commitment to support Moldova's macroeconomic and financial stabilization efforts, in line with Moldova's key reforms, under the current 150 million euros macro-financial assistance program, which was recently proposed to be increased by 145 million euros. The 7th EU-Moldova Association Council reaffirmed the strong partnership and commitment of the parties to further deepen relations, based on shared values and close and privileged ties, to strengthen political association and deepen Moldova's economic integration with the EU in the context of the candidate country's status of EU accession. The statement said that the EU commended the strong commitment of the Moldovan government to continue delivering on its ambitious reform programme, despite the inherited systemic challenges and overlapping crises triggered by Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. The EU welcomed steps taken by Moldova in the fight against corruption, and reiterated its expectation that Moldova steps up efforts in this area, at all levels by taking decisive steps towards proactive and efficient investigations, and a credible track-record of prosecutions and convictions as a matter of highest priority. Parties welcomed the signing of the Working Arrangement on cooperation between European Public Prosecutor's Office and General Prosecutor’s Office of Moldova, which will facilitate the exchange of strategic information between the two institutions. The EU welcomed the commitment of Moldova to step up efforts of de-oligarchisation by eliminating the excessive influence of vested interests in economic, political and public life. In this regard, the EU underlined the importance of deep structural and regulatory reforms on justice, political party financing, electoral laws, media ownership, taxation, competition policy and others and to implement fully the Venice Commission/ODIHR recommendations in this area. The Association Council stressed that transparent, inclusive and credible elections at central and local level remain key to strengthening democracy and the rule of law. The EU welcomed the review of the Electoral Code in an inclusive and participatory process, and its adoption addressing the shortcomings identified by Venice Commission/ODIHR recommendations. Moldova expressed its readiness to take further steps to reform the media environment in order to increase transparency of media ownership and media financing, contributing to limiting the influence of oligarchs on public life. The EU welcomed efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Audiovisual Council to play its role in ensuring citizens' access to impartial information. The Association Council stressed the importance of continuing to work on strategic communications and capacity-building to counter disinformation. The EU expressed its readiness to strengthen its support in this regard. The EU also called on Moldova to strengthen human rights protection and access to justice, especially for persons belonging to vulnerable groups. The EU supported Moldova's efforts to combat organized and serious international crime and recognized the good cooperation in combating human trafficking, especially in the context of the heightened risks associated with Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. The EU commended Moldova's recent decision to grant temporary protection to people fleeing the war in Ukraine in accordance with the relevant EU legislation. The EU also expressed appreciation for Moldova's contribution to the "EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes" facilitating transit of grain and fuel from Ukraine, as well as transportation of other goods between Moldova and Ukraine and the EU. The EU condemned Russia's continued use of energy as a weapon to destabilize Moldova and expressed appreciation for the government's constructive approach to the crisis. Moldova thanked the EU for its solidarity and constant support for Moldova since the beginning of the energy crisis in October 2021. The EU praised Moldova's efforts to improve its energy security by ensuring alternative supplies and reducing consumption in the short term, and by developing domestic power and heat production capacity. The EU recalled the importance of increasing competition and transparency in the energy sector and completing the energy sector reform with full compliance with Energy Community legislation. Moldova thanked the EU for its valuable support in developing the Energy Efficiency Fund in residential buildings and asked for further cooperation aimed at improving the country's energy efficiency. The Association Council acknowledged the continuing difficult geopolitical environment and said it is looking forward to the next summit of the European Political Community, to be held in Moldova in June 2023. // 08.02.2023 – InfoMarket
