Brussels, 16/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 16 September, the European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to lend €10 million for a country-wide investment programme for the water sector in the Republic of Moldova. The project concerns the rehabilitation and extension of water supply and sanitation systems in six towns and neighbouring villages with a total population of 200 000. This is the third EIB loan to the country.
The EIB loan will finance a series of priority investment schemes to provide improved water supply services and to collect and treat municipal wastewater that is currently being discharged largely without treatment. The project will increase the population's access to drinking water, and will contribute towards reducing the pollution of local ground and surface waters. It will also improve environmental conditions in the rivers Prut and Nistru as well as ultimately the Black Sea. In addition, the project will increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated equipment such as water pumps. In a press release, the EIB explains that the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU's policy of support for the Eastern Partnership countries. Furthermore, it is important for regional cooperation in the Danube Region, and will thus support the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, which is expected to be launched in the coming months. The project is being co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as the EU Commission through its Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF).
This is the third loan provided by the EIB in the Republic of Moldova, following a loan of €30 million for the rehabilitation of roads linking the capital Chisinau to the Romanian border, and a loan of €20 million for the rehabilitation and capacity increase of Chisinau airport. (O.L./transl.fl)