The supply of the population with drinking water of a high quality, environment protection and Moldova’s adjustment to climate change are the areas that will benefit from financial and consultative support from Austria during the next five years. The new strategy of bilateral cooperation between Moldova and Austria for 2016-2020 was presented in Chisinau on April 5, IPN reports.
Expert of the Austrian Development Agency Constantin Mihailescu said that particularly these three components have a cumulative effect on the people’s health, living standards and poverty reduction and, in general, on the sustainable development of the country. Within the strategy of bilateral cooperation for 2011-2015, a number of important projects were implemented in these areas with Austria’s assistance, which is a proof of this country’s consistency in supporting these important areas.
Based on the new strategy, the Ministry of Environment and the relevant institutions from the sector will be assisted in strengthening their institutional capacities. An information system concerning Moldova’s water will be developed to improve data exchange in the field. Also, Moldova will benefit from support to work out integrated water management plans. There are such plans already for the rivers Nistru and Prut.
Under the strategy, projects to build water supply and sewerage systems will be co-financed in a number of communities in southern and central Moldova. The administrative capacities of the operators will be improved so as to extend the experience of regionalizing these services. The Ministry of Environment will benefit from support in the process of harmonizing the environment legislation and of formulating legislation to reduce the impact of climate change.
Head of Austria’s Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation in Moldova Gerhard Schaumberger said that unlike the strategy of bilateral cooperation for 2011- 2015, the new strategy envisions the extension of cooperation in a number of areas. He voiced hope that the results of the implementation will be felt by more citizens of Moldova.
According to the Government’s secretary general Tudor Copaci, 34 projects have been implemented so far in Moldova with Austria’s support, another 16 being under implementation. This year Austria plans to allocate €8 million in financing for projects in the mentioned areas.
