6 Feb 2023 21:24

Europarl president promises 145-mln-euro aid package to Moldova

CHISINAU. Feb 6 (Interfax) - A decision to disburse another 145 million euros to Moldova will be adopted shortly, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.

"The European Parliament will also do its part when it comes to the adoption of the announced additional 145-million-euro macro-financial support package. [...] The first steps will already be taken at the plenary in Strasburg next week, as we know how urgently these resources are needed," Metsola said at a joint press conference with Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita in Brussels on Monday.

The European Union provided around 600 million euros to Moldova in 2022, she said.

Metsola said she had visited Moldova last year "to see the first hands the challenges that Moldova is facing and the excellent leadership that it has."

"It is also important for me to convey the strongest of support for Moldova on behalf of the European Parliament and, in particular, for its EU membership path. For us, the Republic of Moldova has a rightful place in the European family," she said.

The implementation of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) treaty "is the best and fastest way" for Moldova to make progress in its integration with the EU, she said.

"We need to accelerate the gradual integration of Moldova into the single market [...] the abolishing of roaming charges is a particularly important and symbolic step," Metsola said.

During its visit to Brussels, the Moldovan government's delegation will attend the seventh meeting of the EU-Moldova Association Council, due to take place on Tuesday.

The parties will discuss EU-Moldova relations in light of the granting of EU candidate status to Moldova. Central topics on the agenda will be the political dialogue and reforms, economic and sectoral cooperation, including in the energy sector and trade, and integration in the field of foreign policy and security.