Premier confident in Moldova having country programme with IMF

Chisinau, 15 July /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip and the head of the experts’ mission of the International Monetary Fund, Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar, today gave a news briefing on the results of the discussions held during the mission on negotiating a new country programme, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.  

The PM thanked the IMF delegation for the constructive discussions, as well as the team of negotiators on behalf of Moldova for the effort and responsibility proved.

The prime minister noted that Moldova had got everything possible at this phase of talks, respectively, to agree on all main elements of the programme. “While so far, I have been keeping saying that I am optimistic, now I can firmly declare that I am sure that we will have a new programme with IMF in the term we have set. And this given that the subjects which must be completed are technical,” Pavel Filip said.  

For her part, the head of the IMF mission said the discussions on a new agreement between Moldova and the International Monetary Fund had reached another stage and the negotiations had advanced considerably. “We agreed on a string of sectors of crucial importance, including the reforms meant to improve the corporate governance and enhance the transparency in the banking sector, ensure the financial sustainability of the energy sector and achieving the goals of the budgetary and fiscal policy for medium term. We are still to agree on only some aspects. On the days to come, we will continue the discussions in Washington,” Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar said.

At the same time, Pavel Filip stressed that, besides the financial support from IMF, which is important for the country, the principal part is the reforms’ programme agreed upon with the Fund. “The value of the expertise and the support we receive is even higher on long term than the sum itself,” the prime minister said.

A mission of the International Monetary Fund was on a 5-15 July visit to Chisinau, to discuss the conditions of the signing of a new country programme. Under procedures, the latter is to be given final touches and approved at the IMF Board in Washington.  

(Editor A. Raileanu)