The European Commission presented, on the evening of Wednesday 28 June, a package of support measures for Moldova, as requested by the European Council on 23 March 2023 (see EUROPE 13147/3).
This package, for which no specific funds have been allocated, focuses on five priorities: economic development and connectivity, administrative capacity, energy, security and strategic communication. These priorities have two main objectives: to address the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on Moldova and to bring the country closer to the EU.
The Commission aims to facilitate economic development and connectivity through the Priority Action Plan for trade under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and the dedicated flagships of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP). The Connecting Europe Facility will fund projects aimed at eliminating bottlenecks at key border crossing points. In addition, this priority is aimed at addressing challenges faced by cross-border communities through strengthened Interreg programmes. The Commission intends as well to work towards an agreement on reducing roaming prices in the long term.
The package also aims to support Moldova’s reforms by strengthening administrative capacity, offering advisory services focused on challenges arising on the enlargement path, dedicated training and support programmes as well as increasing the country’s participation in EU programmes.
The measures also cover energy security, through increasing domestic electricity production, participating in the EU common gas purchasing mechanism, boosting renewable energies and focusing on energy efficiency.
Similarly, the Commission intends to strengthen Moldova’s security through targeted actions guided by High Level Political and Security Dialogue, extend cooperation on these issues and strengthen the defence sector through the ‘European Peace Facility’, as well as internal security and border management through targeted investments and the provision of equipment.
Finally, the last priority is to combat foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, and to improve strategic communication by providing technical support to the government and building the capacity of independent media, civil society and young people to combat disinformation and actively communicate the benefits of EU integration.
Following the Commission’s proposal of 20 June for a review of the Multiannual Financial Framework, around €600 million under the NDICI could be redeployed for the 2024-2027 programmes to increase support for countries neighbouring the EU and Ukraine, including Moldova. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)