U.S. Secretary of State says USA to provide Moldova with 50 million dollars, to consolidate country's capacity to resist to Russian interferences, organize free elections, continue way to EU

Chisinau, 29 May /MOLDPRES/ - The United States will provide Moldova with 50 million dollars for the consolidation of the country’s capacity to resist to the Russian interferences, to organize free, fair elections and to continue the way of integration into the European Union. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today made statements to this effect at a news conference held jointly with President Maia Sandu in Chisinau.    

The American official stressed that the USA wanted to cooperate with Moldova, in order to consolidate the country’s economic and energy security.  

„The Russian attacks against the Ukrainian infrastructure exacerbated the challenges for our country. The energy price grew, which hits the enterprises and consumers. The United States, along with Moldova, want to enhance the use of the renewable resources, in order to move off from the dependence on the Russian sources. Moldova has a direct experience with these challenges and therefore, you are so firmly with the Ukrainian people. You are really a small country with a great heart. You received more than one million of refugees at the beginning of the war; you provided shelter, jobs, medical assistance and education. I think that the Moldovans are aware of the fact that what is happening in Ukraine is important not only for Ukraine, but also for Moldova, for rest of Europe and beyond it. We know that, if we allow this aggression against Ukraine to continue, these attacks will not stop in Ukraine. Therefore, we are with and support Ukraine,’’ Antony Blinken said.        

The American secretary of state noted that the United States and the partners used sanctions against those who try to undermine the democracy of Moldova. He highlighted the country’s commitment for democracy, in the context of a campaign of misinformation and anti-governmental attempts.  

„I am here to bring the commitment on behalf of President Biden for the sovereignty and success of Moldova. Mrs. President, last time when I was here, you told me that a stronger, more resistant Moldova can become a pole of stability, a reliable partner, a bastion of the free world and I think that this is the way followed by the people of Moldova and this is the way about which you spoke. Two years ago, we discussed that we would continue to edify a dynamic Moldova, anchored in Europe, which lives in peace, with the Moldovans who will decide their future. Despite all difficulties which you face, you have made concrete steps to fulfill this vision, which will create a strong future – the European integration way. Presently, we want to continue this progress and we will soon finish the negotiations for a new headquarters of the embassy, which will be a symbol of the deepness of our relation and will provide a foundation for their deepening. The commitment for democracy is quite strong here, so that Moldovans decide their own future and this while facing a campaign of intimidation, of Russian interference, spread of misinformation, use of corruption as arm, fabrication of anti-governmental protests. Nevertheless, we see an extraordinary resilience on behalf of Moldova’s leadership and especially on behalf of its people. Together with other countries, we try to provide you the support needed, in order to advance. I go back to February 2022; since then, the USA has allocated 774 million dollars, in order to consolidate the Moldovan institutions and build your resilience and counteract these actions, which come on behalf of the Russian Federation,’’ Antony Blinken also said.       

Secretary of State of the United States Antony Blinken pays a visit to Moldova today. The meeting’s agenda includes meetings with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, as well as other officials from Moldova. This is the second visit by Antony Blinken after the one made in March 2022.