Moldova might receive preferential loan worth 100 million euros on behalf of EU

Chisinau, 22 April /MOLDPRES/ - The European Commission today adopted a decision to provide a macro-financial assistance worth three billion euros to more states, among which also countries of the Eastern Partnership,  according to a press release of the European Commission.

The proposal to provide a package of macro-financial assistance is part of a strategy titled Team Europe – an answer given by EU to the support of the partner states in their effort to cope with the economic losses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the macro-financial assistance will be provided as follows: Albania – 180 million euros, Bosnia & Herzegovina – 250 million euros, Georgia – 150 million euros, Jordan – 200 million euros, Kosovo – 100 million euros, Moldova – 100 million euros, Montenegro – 60 million euros, North Macedonia – 160 million euros, Tunisia – 600 million euros and Ukraine – 1.2 billion euros.  

European Commission for Economic and Financial Affairs Paolo Gentiloni said that the European solidarity should not cease at EU’s borders. ‘’This is a global crisis; therefore, we either cope with it, or fall together. The today’s decision by the European Commission is a decisive assistance, which we provide to our ten neighbours in their fight against coronavirus.  I ask the European Parliament and the European Council to accept this financial package dedicated to the Eastern Partnership,’’ Gentiloni said.

The package of macro-financial assistance will be valid for one year and will be provided in form of a preferential loan. Along with the IMF’s support, this assistance will contribute to the macro-economic re-launch and stabilization. To become active, the macro-financial package proposed by the European Commission must be adopted by the European Parliament and European Council.    

In a posting made on social networks, Prime Minister Ion Chicu said that ‘’we will suggest that this money, when it comes, be used for endowing Moldova’s hospitals with modern equipment. Besides coronaviruses, Moldovans’ lives are killed by cancer, cardiovascular diseases and many other diseases. Time is ripe for us to correctly choose the priorities!’’