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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article15 July 2022Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

The EU further increases its budget support to Moldova, providing in total €135 million since end of last year

Signature Moldova

Today, at the second Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Support Platform, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, announced that the €53 million budget support published in April this year will be increased to €75 million. Together with the €60 million budget support adopted end of last year, this brings the European Union’s total budget support package for Moldova to 135 million since December 2021. This budget support package addresses rising energy costs as well as the severe impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This additional support will help the Republic of Moldova cope with the multiple repercussions of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. In particular, it will help the most vulnerable segments of the population in Moldova to deal with rising energy costs and to support the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition of the Republic of Moldova. This support is expected to be delivered quickly by the end of the month.

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, said: ”The EU stands by the Republic of Moldova in these difficult times. We continue to provide support to help the country deal with the severe impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. European solidarity with the Republic of Moldova is unwavering.”

This €135 million budget support package comes in addition to the €150 million Macro-Financial Assistance Programme, and the emergency assistance already provided by the EU to the Republic of Moldova.   

  • €13 million in humanitarian assistance, to provide emergency support at border crossing points, transit points and reception centres, as well as to ensure basic living conditions to refugees currently displaced in Moldova.
  • €15 million to support the dignified and efficient processing of refugees and the secure transit and repatriation of third-country nationals, working closely with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
  • €15 million to support the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM). The Mission has recently redirected its activities to assist the Moldovan border guards in managing the arrivals of refugees. The Mission will work hand in hand with Frontex, which is increasing its deployment in the country, following the Status Agreement on border management cooperation signed on 17 March 2022 by the EU and Moldovan authorities. EUBAMs mandate has also been enhanced, giving possibilities to obtain executive powers for border control. This will enable EUBAM staff to directly participate in border control if needed, and complement the border management teams of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
  • Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, already 19 countries (18 Member States plus Norway) have offered large quantities of shelter items, energy supply and medical aid. The Commission has also mobilised medical equipment from the rescEU medical stockpiles hosted by Hungary and the Netherlands.

 

In addition to the crisis management, the EU continues to support Moldova’s long-term resilience, in particular through the Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Plan, aiming to mobilise around €3.4 billion in public and private investments for five flagships: SME support, trade facilitation, energy efficiency, connectivity and human capital development. Last week the European Investment Bank and Moldova agreed €150 million loan to connect Moldova to the TEN-T network.

Background

Since 24 February 2022, Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has had devastating consequences, in particular for the Ukrainian people. As more than 4 million refugees have fled the war, it has also posed a clear challenge for neighbouring countries. Since the beginning of the aggression, Moldova has welcomed a high number of refugees fleeing the Russian bombs. With one hundred thousand refugees from Ukraine currently in Moldova, it is the country with the most refugees per capita, while also having to manage twice as many refugees transiting through its territory.

Today’s second Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Support Platform was organised by Romania and took place in Bucharest. Established by Germany, France and Romania, the platform gathers the EU Member States, G7 countries, international partners, and like-minded countries to mobilise immediate and concrete international support for the Republic of Moldova in facing the current situation.

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