June 29, 2020, Chișinău - We appreciate Japan's support for the process of European integration and modernization of the Republic of Moldova, through granting a concessional loan for mechanisation of agriculture and a grant for the digitisation of the National Library’s Cultural Heritage. The statement was made during a ceremony held at the MFAEI, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Oleg Țulea and the Ambassador of Japan, Yoshihiro Katayama, signed two documents meant to start two important socio-economic projects:

1. The loan agreement for the implementation of the project "Modernisation of agricultural machinery and equipment", which provides for the granting of a loan on favourable terms with a total value of US $ 18.7 million and an interest rate of 0.1% for a period of 40 years. The project was negotiated in order to support Moldovan farmers in the context of the difficult situation in the sector and comes to support the growth of agricultural production and the stabilisation of the country's economy;
2. The grant agreement, amounting to 409 thousand US dollars is intended for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage within the institutions of the national library system and the broadening of citizens' access to information by purchasing modern equipment and digitising the National Library of the Republic of Moldova.

These documents precede the signing of agreements, which will enter into force after the passing of internal procedures by the implementing ministries: the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research. 

During the statements fot the press, the head of the Moldovan diplomacy, Oleg Țulea, also expressed the gratitude of the Chișinău authorities, for the shipment by Japan of a batch of 12 200 tablets of Avigan (Favipiravir), necessary for the treatment of 100 COVID-19 patients, as well as the solidarity expressed in the fight against the pandemic by offering a grant of 1 million US dollars, within the Economic and Social Program that will allow the purchase of medical equipment for the national health system.

In the end, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration addressed special thanks to the people of Japan and the Tokyo authorities for their support in realising these important steps for the people of the Republic of Moldova.