MOLDOVA: The government has signed an agreement with the European Commission enabling Moldovan promoters to apply for Connecting Europe Facility funding to support projects of common interest in the transport, energy and digital sectors.
Moldovan authorities and companies will be able to apply for co-funding under the current €25·8bn CEF transport programme for 2021-27, starting with the next call to be launched in September. Priority will be given to projects that strengthen connectivity between the core transport network in EU member states and those of third countries.
Noting that ‘Moldova has been strongly affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine’, the Commission said access to the CEF would support the country’s integration with the EU single market, promote growth, jobs and competitiveness and anchor Moldova in interconnected trans-European networks.
‘Moldova can be proud – it is the first country with whom the EU signs such an agreement’, said Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean on May 9.
‘Projects that can help tackling current bottlenecks at border crossings and upgrading Moldova’s railway network will be able to compete, for example, in the next CEF Transport call, open to all EU Member States, and which will make available funds amounting to €2·5bn for such investments.’
- On May 17 the EBRD announced it had approved a €23m loan and the EU would provide a €20m grant to finance materials for modernising the Vălcineț – Bălți – Ungheni and Chișinău – Cainari lines to facilitate the transport of freight from Ukraine to the EU and improve food security. National railway CFM is providing the remaining €28m for the project and is responsible for implementation.
