Romania to discuss new programme on non-refundable assistance for Moldova

Chisinau, 23 July /MOLDPRES/ - Romania is ready to discuss a new programme of non-refundable assistance for Moldova, which will replace the old agreement worth 100 million euros, which expired without being finished. Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu made statements to this effect at a today’s news conference held jointly with President Maia Sandu.  

The Moldovan president said that Bogdan Aurescu was the first EU official coming to Chisinau following the 11 July ballot. ‘’We had a good discussion about the results of the snap parliamentary elections and the bilateral agenda. I thanked him for the significant assistance Moldova received on behalf of Romania: protection equipment and significant donations of vaccine. Presently, we exceed the figure of half a million of vaccines provided by Romania to Moldova. We discussed the re-launch of the dialogue at the governmental level. We resumed the discussions on the programmes which we have earlier initiated,’’ Sandu noted.    

The head of state specified that, following the snap parliamentary elections, the Moldovan authorities had occasion to edify a strong and mutually advantageous partnership with Romania, which will open new opportunities for development and will get Moldova closer to EU.  

The two officials voiced hope that Romania and Moldova would strengthen the cooperation at the governmental level following the swearing in office of the new cabinet in Chisinau.

The Bucharest diplomacy head informed that Romania would provide another 300,000 euros for backing civil society and the independent media from Moldova, after a similar contribution of 250,000 euros, provided in November 2020.   

„Romania is prepared for speeding up the projects on support for Moldova’s development and modernization. The Bucharest government is ready to provide short-term support measures to the new government. We have confidence in the programme of reforms initiated by President Maia Sandu. The result of these elections is a very important process. I urged EU to intensely back the reforms initiated by the president and the ones due to be carried out by the future government and parliament,’’ Aurescu added.     

Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu is on an official visit to Chisinau. Immediately after the meeting with Maia Sandu, the Bucharest official participated in a ceremony on the donation of a consignment of 100,000 doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccine on behalf of Romania.