Moldova and Romania expand cooperation for development of infrastructure projects

The Republic of Moldova and Romania are expanding their cooperation for the development of infrastructure projects that contribute to connecting our country to the European transport network. This opportunity has arisen after the Government in Chișinău approved today the signing of an Agreement to this effect between the two states.

One of the main provisions of the Agreement refers to the construction of the road bridge at Ungheni, which is in an active implementation phase. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development emphasized that, as the works have advanced, it has become necessary to update and extend the bilateral legal framework to support the implementation of the project and the development of the related infrastructure.

“The road bridge at Ungheni over the Prut River is one of the most important connectivity projects between the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the last 60 years. The project we are presenting today creates the necessary framework for achieving this strategic objective. The Agreement sets out the conditions for cooperation in the construction, operation and maintenance of the bridge, as well as other transport infrastructures of strategic interest. The new agreement proposed for signing replaces the one signed in 2022 and responds to the new needs that have emerged during the implementation of the project, including by expanding investments in related infrastructure and capitalizing on European funding opportunities,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, at the Government meeting.

According to the official, the implementation of this project will improve the Republic of Moldova’s connection with the European Union, reduce border crossing time, facilitate trade, and create new opportunities for investment and economic development in the Ungheni region of the Republic of Moldova.

The document also allows for the development of new road connections, including motorway sections and logistics facilities needed to integrate the Republic of Moldova’s transport corridors into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

At the same time, it will create the conditions for implementing coordinated border control, which will help streamline traffic and reduce border crossing time. The Ungheni–Ungheni bridge will ensure a direct connection between the Republic of Moldova and Romania via the A8 Union Motorway, the motorway that will cross the Carpathians, and via a future motorway to Chișinău.

The new infrastructure will facilitate the transport of goods and passengers between the two states and will integrate the Republic of Moldova more effectively into the European transport network. The project is financed by the European Union, which has allocated 35 million euros through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).