The governments of Germany and France have pledged approximately EUR 132 million to the Republic of Moldova. The money is intended to benefit, among other things, refugees from Ukraine and the country’s energy supply.
“The people of the country are suffering,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said shortly before the third international supporters conference for Moldova in Paris. She pointed out that Russia had severely curtailed its gas supplies and that the country could no longer obtain electricity from Ukraine. Specifically, the central power plant that supplies the country with electricity is located in Transnistria, an area between Ukraine and Moldova. It is ruled by pro-Russian separatists.
Another recent development is that Moldova has received an above-average number of refugees from Ukraine (around 80,000) in relation to its population of 2.6 million people. “Dedication to Moldova is also a way of supporting Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. About 50 delegations attended the conference. Germany and France pledged about €132 million (€100 million from France, €32 million from Germany) to support Moldova. According to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the money will be used, among other things, for renewable energy, the expansion of municipal infrastructure and support for refugees from Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Popescu: “Investing in stability”
Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, but has had the status of EU candidate country since the end of June. Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu also referred to this when he thanked for the funds. “Any aid we receive is an investment in stability, not only in Moldova but in Europe.” To be able to absorb the increased energy costs, 1.1 billion euros are needed.
It is not yet known whether other governments will participate in the conference with aid funds. Since the beginning of the war, two conferences have already been held for Moldova, raising a total of around EUR 1.2 billion.
Source: Krone
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