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EU commissioner says Brussels recognizes reforms steps made by Moldova so far

16:08 | 17.05.2018 Category: Official

Chisinau, 17 May /MOLDPRES/ - Projects and initiatives for the development of the country’s regions and the evolution of the Moldova – European Union ties today were discussed by Prime Minister Pavel Filip and European Commission for Regional Policy Corina Cretu. The official is on a visit to Chisinau on 17-19 May, at an invitation by the PM, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.     

Prime Minister Pavel Filip highlighted the sincere and constructive character of the discussion with Commissioner Corina Cretu and thanked her for having accepted the invitation to pay a visit to Moldova. “We are always open to receive friends. Each meeting, including this visit by Mrs. Commissioner, tells us about the fact that the relations between Moldova and the European Union become more and more complex,” Pavel Filip said.    

As for the regional initiatives, the officials referred to the programmes on supply with water and sewerage, energy efficiency of public buildings, restoration of regional and local roads, management of solid waste. In particular, the sides emphasized the results of the project, Construction of Infrastructure of Water and Sewerage Supply, and of the one on energy efficiency. “Following their implementation, more than 200,000 citizens from 22 settlements will benefit from newly constructed and rehabilitated aqueducts. Also, tens of public buildings will benefit from energy efficiency projects. These are quite clear benefits of the cooperation with EU, benefits which are felt directly by citizens,” the PM said.     

Also, the prime minister noted that, in the last years, the interest in carrying out of projects with economic orientation in regions has been enhanced. In this respect, the taking over of the best practices of the EU countries and the application of new technologies is welcome.

The European Commissioner for Regional Policy stressed that the European Union would remain a loyal partner for Moldova’s development, including as regards the regional development. ”A strong regional policy can contribute to the creation of the same conditions and opportunities, including as regards jobs, for all Moldova’s citizens, no matter the place they live,” Corina Cretu said, in the context of the difference between the Moldovan capital and other regions of Moldova.    

The sides also spoke about Moldova’s participation in the EU Strategy for Danube Region, along with another 13 states. In the last years, Moldova has consolidated its contribution to the implementation of the document, especially in terms of investments in people and capacities. Thus, good results were achieved in the field of vocational adjusting to the requirements of the market and business environment and new opportunities of academic mobility have been identified.

“Moldova is one of the coordinators of the priority axis within the Danube Strategy concerning people and competences, taking into account how important the enhancement of the degree of labour force employment is, especially for regions,” Cretu noted.  

In this respect, Pavel Filip stressed the need to strengthen the financial instruments available within the Strategy, as well as to identify new possibilities of financing for the EU associated countries.

Other opportunities of carrying out regional projects are available in the programme on cross-border cooperation for the Danube region 2014-2020. At the same time, this year, EU is set to back projects on regional development in the Cahul and Ungheni regions.

“The steps Moldova has made so far are recognized by Brussels. It is important that Moldova focuses in continuation on the robust implementation of reforms in key sectors, such as the economic development, business environment, energy sector and justice,” Corina Cretu said.  

Prime Minister Pavel Filip reiterated the Moldovan government’s firm commitment to carry out the reforms which are to make Moldova’s European course irreversible. “We do not have the plan A and plan B; there is only one plan – European Union. The integration into EU is our basic goal. In the context of the decision of a member state to leave the European Union, it is about Brexit, we are ready to provide the Mold-in and be the 28th state of the European Union,” the PM added.

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