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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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EU announces annual support package to MoldovaThe EU has announced a new annual support package for the Republic of Moldova to help public institutions, citizens and the business community to benefit as much as possible from the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU (AA/DCFTA). During the signature the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, stated: "The Association Agreement is a milestone in our Eastern Partnership policy and in our relationship with the Republic of Moldova. It is based on shared fundamental values and will open new possibilities for closer political relations and stronger economic ties. Moldova has our full support in this significant and historical process." The fresh EU funding for Moldova is designed to support the modernisation of key public institutions implementing the AA/DCFTA, improvement of public finance policy and management, competitiveness of rural business and trade opportunities with the EU and protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, a press release said. The programme will contribute to further political association and economic integration with the EU under the Eastern Partnership initiative. It is a first package of bilateral assistance granted to Moldova under the Single Support Framework, which sets out strategic objectives and priorities for future EU-Moldova cooperation in 2014-2017. The EU annual support package (Annual Action Programme 2014) provides €101 million of bilateral allocation to Moldova. Funding is granted through the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) for two actions: Support to Public Finance Policy Reforms in Moldova (€37 million) and European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) Moldova – Support to Agriculture and Rural Development (€64 million). |
Project funded by the European Union
