Moldovan, Austrian officials broach environment-related issues

Chisinau, 16 March /MOLDPRES/ - The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has worked out a new country strategy for 2015-2020, which stipulates Moldova’s support in the environmental protection. Environment Minister Sergiu Palihovici and Head of Austrian Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation Gerhard Schaumberger discussed the cooperation in this sector today.

Gerhard Schaumberger said that, in the new strategy, the environmental protection was considered one of the priorities. Within the mentioned period, ADA intends to contribute to implement the chapters „Environment” and „Environmental actions” of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and to extend its environment projects in Moldova. At the same time, a project titled: “Support to water and sanitation area institutional framework” is to be launched with the agency’s support in 2015, which will last for 6-8 year.

For his part, Sergiu Palihovici requested ADA’s assistance to make the institutional analysis in the area, implement the National Environment Strategy, Strategy on adaption to climate changes, etc.

The partnership between the Moldovan Environment Ministry and Austrian Development Agency is carried out based on an agreement between the Moldovan and Austrian governments signed in Vienna 2008. In 2011-2015, ADA earmarked over 7 million euros to Moldova as technical assistance, grants, supply and works contracts.

(Reporter L. Grubii, Editor M. Jantovan)