On Wednesday 2 June, the European Commission announced an economic recovery plan for Moldova that could mobilise up to €600 million between 2021 and 2024 in the form of macrofinancial assistance, grants and investments.
Although the European institution did not specify the nature of the funds, according to a European source, €150 million of the €600 million is expected to be available in the coming weeks, as it comes from programmes or measures already in force. The remaining funds, up to €450 million, are expected to come from the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
The aim of the plan is to promote investments that underpin a “sustainable and inclusive recovery” from the Covid-19 crisis in Moldova, according to the Commission.
Five areas of intervention have been identified: - public financial management and economic governance; - the competitiveness of the economy, trade and SMEs; - infrastructure; - education and employability; - Rule of law and justice reform.
According to the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, this recovery plan, subject to strict reform conditionality, will support “indispensable structural reforms in the country, including in the key areas of justice and the fight against corruption”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)