The EU macro-financial assistance package for Moldova is to be increased by 145 million euros.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the statement was made during an on-line discussion between Minister of Finance Veronica Sireteanu and Annika Eriksgaard, Director for International Economic and Financial Affairs at the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission (DG ECFIN) and her team about the macro-financial assistance of the EU for Moldova. In this context, the European officials announced the possibility to increase the package of additional EU macro-financial assistance for Moldova by 145 million euros. The head of the Ministry of Finance also discussed these issues during a personal meeting with a group of MEPs from the European Parliament's Committee on Budget and International Committee on Trade, who are on a visit to Chisinau. The sides discussed Moldova's cooperation with foreign partners, macro-financial and technical assistance, as well as Moldova's financial needs. Veronica Sireteanu pointed out the ministry's immediate priorities, highlighting the tax reforms, transparency of the public finances, improvement of the fiscal administration and the salary policy etc. The MEPs reiterated that the EU will continue to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Moldovan authorities. As InfoMarket agency earlier reported, the European Commission proposed to increase the current macro-financial aid to Moldova by 145 million euros - from 150 million to 295 million euros. The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said earlier that the European Parliament plans to approve an increase of macro-financial assistance to Moldova soon. As noted by the European Commission, this additional aid is designed to provide additional support to Moldova, whose economy has been hit hard by the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the serious energy crisis that has continued since October 2021. The increase in macro-financial assistance will help the country to cover some additional funding needs in 2023, maintain macroeconomic stability and ensure further reforms. Of the additional 145 million euros in aid, up to 45 million euros will be provided in grants and up to 100 million euros in loans with concessional financing terms. The amount is to be paid in two additional installments, scheduled for the third and fourth quarters of 2023, subject to the fulfillment of agreed conditions. The new EU macro-financial assistance package for Moldova entered into force on July 18, 2022, providing for 150 million euros, including 120 million euros in concessional loans and 30 million euros in grants. // 24.02.2023 - InfoMarket.
