Moldovan PM meets Director General of European Commission for European Neighbourhood Policy

Chisinau, 16 September /MOLDPRES/ – The evolution of implementation of the Moldova – EU Association Agreement, as well as progress in fulfilling the conditions for obtaining macro – financial assistance from EU, were the main issues discussed, on Monday, 16 September, by Prime Minister, Maia Sandu, and Director General of the European Commission for European Policy. Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Christian Danielsson, paying a visit to Moldova, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

PM Maia Sandu has expressed gratitude to the European partners for their long – term support to Moldova and reiterated her firm commitment to continue ambitious reforms under Association Agreement with EU. The chief of executive has stressed upon importance of European assistance in several key areas, such as: justice, fight against corruption, solving energy problem, and addressed the possibility of increasing budget support in upcoming years.

"We hope that soon we shall see the concrete results, citizens of Moldova will also feel these results. We have discussed the external assistance of EU, which we expect until the end of this year. We are determined to move very quickly, so that all commitments are fulfilled in time and we can benefit from the two tranches of macro – financial assistance”, pointed out Maia Sandu.

At his turn, Christian Danielsson has appreciated the progress made by the new Government. "Commencing June, we have seen the Government determined to act in several areas that are essential for cooperation of Moldova and EU, in fulfilling the commitments made under Association Agreement. It is about the depoliticisation of institutions, fight against corruption and reform of justice. The PM and the Government have taken important steps on it in recent months and we shall support these efforts. But, of course, our support is not unconditional, it is important that all these measures are implemented," said the European official.

The officials have also set priorities for cooperation in perspectives. The PM has submitted for consideration the possibility of financing a project: The European Village. "I promote the idea of ​​direct EU assistance to local public authorities (APL), in order to finance more needs in these regions, such as: repair of kindergartens, schools, roads and other important things at community level," said Maia Sandu, also specifying that the Government has expressly asked the European partners for assistance for a free press in Moldova.