Moldovan PM meets Swedish minister for international development cooperation

Chisinau, 11 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Ion Chicu today had a meeting with Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden Peter Eriksson, on a visit to Moldova. Attending the event was Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova Anna Lyberg, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The PM thanked the Swedish authorities for the technical and financial assistance provided to Moldova in diverse sectors during about ten years. Sweden is in a top 5 donors of Moldova, with a yearly contribution of more than 12 million euros. In particular, Ion Chicu praised the support offered to Moldova on the European integration dimension, as well as in public money management.   

The officials highlighted the importance to ensure Moldova’s energy independence and discussed the country’s opportunities, if it focuses on the production of the solar and wind energy. According to the Swedish minister, EU and other development partners would be open for the financing of such projects in Moldova.    

Ion Chicu welcomed the recommendations, stressing also the importance of the IT sector in Moldova, which shows positive results already. The export of IT services exceeded the volume of wine production. The support of Swedish partners would be welcome in this field, as well as in other sectors, such as: combating the trafficking of human beings, corruption, as well as the ecological security.    

In the context, the prime minister appreciated the usefulness of the impact study, financed by Sweden, on the construction of the Ukrainian hydro-electric power station on the Dniester river. “To ensure the ecology of the Dniester river, the government will never accept the construction of this hydro-electric power station. We are holding talks with the Ukrainian side on this subject,” Ion Chicu said.  

Another subject discussed was focused on the evolution of the Transnistrian problem settlement, given that Sweden will take over the OSCE chairmanship in 2021. The PM informed that the projects underway should be continued, step by step, noting that the cabinet was acting conscientiously in the management on this subject. At the same time, the government relies on the results of the negotiations in the 5+2 format.