Moldovan prime minister says Joint Development Cooperation Strategy confirms reforms implemented by Government get EU appreciation

Chisinau, 28 February /MOLDPRES/ – The EU Delegation to Moldova, EU Member States and Switzerland presented to Government the Joint Development Cooperation Strategy (Joint Programming Document) today. The document was sent to Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, by the head of the EU Delegation in Chisinau, Peter Michalko. The Ambassador of EU Member States, Ambassador of Switzerland and members of the Cabinet of Ministers also participated into Strategy presentation, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The Joint Development Cooperation Strategy serves as a reference for planning assistance to be provided in the future to Moldova by EU and provides a consolidated view of agreed development priorities among European donors.

Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, expressed gratitude for constant support given to Moldova by EU and noted that Strategy has come to confirm once more that Executive’s efforts and reforms implemented by Government being appreciated by EU. The Head of the Executive stated that the objectives of the Strategy have coincided with priorities set by the Government. Among them, continuing the reform of justice, strengthening the rule of law, harnessing the potential for free trade with EU, modernising energy sector, strengthening dialogue with civil society.

"The Joint Cooperation Strategy represents an X-ray of challenges and opportunities faced by Moldova and we are aware of responsibility and attitude we must prove in fulfilling the conditionality," said Pavel Filip. The Head of the Executive said that this document has reconfirmed EU support in addressing key challenges, and the Government would work even harder to provide citizens with visible benefits and results.

At his turn, head of EU Delegation to Moldova, Ambassador Peter Michalko, said that the Joint Programming Document has represented a strategic vision for future development and ensured transparency, predictability and visibility of the external assistance provided to Moldova by EU, EU Member States and Switzerland. According to EU ambassador, the document would help strengthen efforts to better coordinate and manage external assistance and become a useful tool to support the reforms’ implementation.

The Common Strategy is the result of collective work of EU Delegation in Moldova, EU Member States and Switzerland and is structured around four broad areas of intervention: economic development and market opportunities, including sustainable and inclusive growth, health, institution building and good governance, including rule of law and security, connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate change, mobility and people – to – people contacts, including support for benchmarks on visa liberalisation and education, training and research. There are also three transversal priorities: civil society, gender equality and strategic communication.

There are 18 European donors presenting the majority of available assistance in Moldova. At present, there are implemented 76 programmes with a total budget of almost €378.6 million with EU support in Moldova.