The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu and the European Commission’s Director for Neighborhood East and Institution Building, Lawrence Meredith, on February 22 signed the financing agreement for the COVID-19 Resilience Contract for the Republic of Moldova worth €15 million. The Resilience Contract will assist Moldova in coping with the COVID-19 outbreak and its socio-economic impact, as well as boost the resilience of the healthcare system, IPN reports.
In a press release, the European Union Delegation to Moldova says the EU support mobilized for Moldova since the beginning of the crisis includes a variety of actions designed to help Moldovan citizens cope with and recover from the impact of the pandemic. This assistance includes medical supplies, social support to vulnerable groups, loans and grants to businesses and farmers throughout the country, as well as direct financial support to the state budget.
The financing agreement signed today is part of the EU’s COVID-19 support package for Moldova, and will reinforce support in key areas. Through the €15 million grant (around 300 million MDL), the EU will support the country's anti-crisis measures, designed to improve the national healthcare system. Moreover, support will be provided to Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, including in rural areas, to help them mitigate the negative economic impact of the pandemic.
EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova Peter Michalko said the COVID-19 pandemic created big challenges in the Republic of Moldova, and the Moldovan healthcare system and MSMEs were among those most negatively affected. “We are confident that the new grant, offered by the EU, together with our previous support provided since the beginning of the pandemic, will help create a solid basis for socio-economic recovery and greater resilience to any future shocks,” stated Ambassador Michalko.
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu noted that following the signing of this agreement, Moldova will receive a grant of €15 million, which will support the efforts to combat the repercussions of the pandemic. “This altruistic help is very important and necessary for the Republic of Moldova. I will insist that the money reaches the sectors that have been affected the most by the pandemic: the medical system, agriculture, small and medium enterprises. I will also request the competent institutions to monitor how this money is allocated, so that they reach the people who need support the most,” said President Sandu.
The agreement is part of the EU's response to COVID-19 under the “Team Europe” initiative and was signed following the recent official visit by the President to Brussels..
The Global EU response to the coronavirus pandemic follows a Team Europe approach. It draws on contributions from all EU institutions and combines them with the resources mobilized by EU Member States and financial institutions, to address the humanitarian, health, and other consequences of the pandemic. The total Team Europe global response package today amounts to €36.5 billion.
