Twenty-seven official letters addressed to the 27 agriculture ministers of the European Union, the U.S. Canada, Japan, and Norway, in which Moldova asks for support for the establishment of a Development and Solidarity Fund for Moldovan agriculture, were signed by Minister Vladimir Bolea, IPN reports.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the initiative of creating such a fund was later discussed at a meeting of Minister Bolea and European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski. It is “a reaction to the increasingly acute challenges faced by the Moldovan farmers affected who were by severe drought and climate change in recent years,” noted the Ministry.
The Development and Solidarity Fund aims to financially help farmers, contribute to the modernization of agricultural infrastructure, promote technological innovations and build resilience to extreme weather conditions, which affect the productivity and stability of agriculture in the country.
In Brussels, Minister Vladimir Bolea stressed the importance of coordinated support from EU member countries for the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova to make progress and contribute to the economic stability of the region. The official highlighted that this fund would represent not only economic support, but also a gesture of solidarity and partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova.
“I have taken an important step today, addressing our European counterparts, development partners. It is essential to be supported by equals from the EU, the U.S., Japan, Canada, Norway, in strengthening the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova, which is one of the main pillars of our economy. The creation of this fund will allow our farmers to more easily adapt to new challenges and ensure the sustainable development of the sector,” said Bolea.
Last week, farmers protested in regions and in front of the Presidential Palace, asking the head of state to send to Parliament for revision the law on support measures for farmers following this year’s drought. The document was adopted on September 13. According to the farmers, the MPs did not take into account the proposals put forward by the Farmers’ Force Association. They said they will not take part in the meeting of the Economic Council working under the Ministry as long as Vladimir Bolea serves as minister.
