20/02/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 19 February, the European Commission signed an association agreement with Moldova, opening the doors of ‘Digital Europe’ programme to Chișinău. Once the ratification processes have been completed by the EU and Moldova, Moldovan companies, public administrations and other eligible organisations will be able to respond to calls for proposals under the programme, which has an overall budget of up to €7.5 billion for the period 2021-2027. Until the end of the programme in 2027, Moldova will also see the contributions it has to pay to participate in the ‘Digital Europe’ programme reduced by 95%. According to Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, the country’s participation in the programme “is part of the EU’s efforts to support Moldova on the road to EU membership and to remedy the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. (TM)