The first payment of 60 million euros (64.96 million U.S. dollars) under the refundable aid of 150 million euros to Moldova will be made after concrete reforms start in Chisinau, said Ciolos, adding that Bucharest will send to Chisinau a list of requests for reforms by the end of this week.
The requests include the nomination of a governor of the Moldovan central bank, the implementation of Moldova’s EU Association Agreement, the adoption of a package of anti-corruption measures and of some laws on the business environment, the Agerpres news agency reported, citing official sources.
Romania also wants to coordinate its financial support to Moldova with the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, Ciolos added at a joint press conference with Filip.
Meanwhile, Romania is considering an emergency winter aid, consisting of food and heating fuel, for deprived Moldovans, the prime minister said, stressing that “we would like to supply it directly to the citizens.”
The Moldovan prime minister stated that his government is determined to prove its pro-European orientation by concrete actions and the reform agenda included in the Association Agreement with the EU and relaunching cooperation with foreign development partners represent a priority for his cabinet.
According to Filip, Romania’s support is vital for Moldova which is in an extremely difficult situation and it will be a difficult task to carry out his governing program without the help of Romania.
The issue of mass protests in Chisinau was also a focus of the talks between the two officials.
Ciolos encouraged the new cabinet in Moldova to keep in touch with representatives of civil society and to listen to people’s legitimate wishes and expectations, considering that the people there have very clear expectations of the authorities and the dissatisfaction is mainly justified.
Filip stated that the protests in Chisinau were useful and he understood the feelings of those who protest sincerely.
“The pressure exerted by civil society on the government mobilizes the cabinet members and makes them do more for the people,” he believed, adding that “we are trying to ensure a permanent dialogue with the protesters.”
The Moldovan prime minister arrived in Bucharest on Tuesday for his first official visit abroad, after the installation of his cabinet on Wednesday last week, amid mass protests in the center of Chisinau. The protests demanding the dissolution of parliament and snap elections have continued ever since, with the number of demonstrators increasing from thousands to tens of thousands.
The major purpose of his visit in Bucharest is to convince the Romanian authorities to provide financial assistance as soon as possible, in addition to further confirm Bucharest’s political support for his cabinet, according to local analysts.
Filip also met with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who encouraged him to seize the great opportunity “through firm reforms carried out, to restore Moldova’s political, economic and financial stability, and ultimately restore Moldovan citizens’ confidence of a government being there to deal with Moldova’s and Moldovans’ problems.” Enditem
Source: Xinhua
