Government of Republic of Moldova

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu at the sixth EEA Summit: „In order to be with the European Union, our country needs three main things: to prove that we can be trusted, to generate projects and to be able to lead them to fulfillment”

Published on: Thu, 16/12/2021 - 12:58

December 16, 2021, Brussels – On the sidelines of the Sixth Eastern Partnership Summit, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu stated that within the meetings with European partners it was confirmed the European Union's support for the necessary reform processes needed to further transform this partnership and to ensure that it responds concretely to citizens' expectations through jobs, economic growth and social cohesion.

„The success of the visit to Brussels and the participation together with President Maia Sandu in the Eastern Partnership Summit confirms that in order to be with the European Union, our country needs to achieve three key goals: to prove that it can be trusted, to generate projects and to be able to carry them out.” stated Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu.

Eastern Partnership leaders adopted the Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit reaffirming their common commitment to upholding the core values of strengthening democracy and the rule of law, protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting gender equality, promoting inclusive societies by ensuring full compliance with the principles and rules of international law, supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of all Eastern partners.

„The reform effort consistently promoted by the Government of the Republic of Moldova also includes the ambition to join the strategy of digital transformation, efforts to protect the environment and to set a common direction.” highlighted Minister Nicu Popescu.

The text of the declaration also includes the initiative aimed at reducing roaming charges between the European Union and partner states, including the Republic of Moldova.

„Together with the European Union, we will explore options for strengthening sectoral cooperation, including in the areas of green and digital transition, energy security, justice and home affairs, strategic communication and health. We will work to strengthen the security and resilience dialogue.” stated Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu.

The joint statement of the European leaders can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3siqMbw.

At the same time, the regional agreement was negotiated between six partner states Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The internal procedures for signing it are currently underway. It should be noted that the Republic of Moldova has already completed its internal procedures.

„I welcome the readiness of the European Union to support the efforts of the partner countries concerned, including the Republic of Moldova, to meet the criteria for accession to the Single Euro Payments Area.” mentioned the Head of Diplomacy from Chișinău.

During the meetings, it was reiterated the vision of the states of the Associated Trio Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine to promote the irreversibility of the European path anchored in the aspirations and European identity of the people of the three countries, meant to strengthen cooperation for European integration.

„We remain committed to the further strategic development of the Eastern Partnership in accordance with the principles of differentiation and inclusion. At the Summit, we reaffirmed our strong commitment to further strengthen the political association and economic integration of the countries associated with the European Union, including by continuing to work closely together to strengthen the rule of law and advance reforms to meet the Copenhagen criteria. I reminded that, under the Treaty on European Union, any European State which respects the values set out in Article 2 and undertakes to promote them may apply to become a member of the European Union.” declared Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu.

The joint statement of the Associated Trio can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3yvOqT0.

On the sidelines of participation in the Summit, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu signed, on behalf of the Government, a series of documents in order to implement projects of strategic importance for our country.

The project „Energy Efficiency of the Republic of Moldova” involves the energy rehabilitation of buildings of social use republican and regional hospitals, schools, kindergartens and other public institutions. Thus, the Republic of Moldova will benefit from a grant of 30 million euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as well as a grant of 2.8 million euros from the Neighbourhood Investment Platform and the Eastern Partnership Technical Assistance Trust Fund (EPTATF).

The realization of the project „Moldova Roads IV” will be possible because of the loan of 150 million euros from the European Investment Bank, which will be used for the rehabilitation, modernization and extension of over 150 kilometers of priority roads throughout the country, a letter of intent being signed in the margin of the summit.

The financing agreement on the „Contract for the consolidation of the state and resilience for the Republic of Moldova” worth 60 million euros is a budget support program that completes the package of the European Economic Recovery for Moldova worth up to 600 million euros to be implemented in the next three years.

„I am grateful to the team from the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, to the team from the Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, as well as to the colleagues from the ministries who ensured a consistent program during the Eastern Partnership Summit.” concluded Minister Nicu Popescu.

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