Moldova becomes first country from outside EU to join Connecting Europe Facility

Chisinau, 9 May /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova has become the first country from outside EU to join the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – the most important instrument for infrastructure projects from the European Union. Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Lilia Dabija and European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean signed an agreement to this end today.    

Thus, the document will allow Moldova access funds to the transports, energy and digital sectors.

Following the document’s signing, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean gave a news conference, jointly with Prime Minister Dorin Recean. ‘’We today celebrate the solidarity for the common values shared by Europe. EU has always been with Moldova, through programmes due to generate more prosperity, more mobility for citizens, modern infrastructure. I am happy that the agreement on Moldova joining the Connecting Europe Facility was signed. Moldova from now on will more efficiently access the funds needed for the interconnection on three infrastructures: transport, energy infrastructure and digital infrastructure,’’ Dorin Recean.        

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean said that, once the agreement signed today is ratified, Moldova will be able to access funds for the transport, energy and digital infrastructure, along with the EU member states. ‘’The Connecting Europe Facility is the most important instrument of financing for infrastructure projects. Moreover, this is an unprecedented moment; Moldova is the first country from outside EU to joint this facility. After the agreement signed today is ratified, Moldova will be able to access funds for the transport, energy and digital infrastructure, along with the EU member states. The railway, bridges, connections with Romania, energy networks – all so necessary for Moldova, is financed through this facility. The Moldovan authorities and companies will participate in appeals of projects. I hope that the next project appeal, due in next autumn, worth 2.5 billion euros, has already projects in Moldova,’’ the European commissioner noted.         

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean is on a visit to Chisinau.