The High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and the European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi visited Chisinau

The High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell and the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi paid a two-day visit to Chisinau. High-level officials met the representatives of the Moldovan authorities. They expressed their gratitude for managing the refugee crisis and highlighted the support they will continue to provide to the Republic of Moldova.

The visit of European officials began with the meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu. The discussion was followed by a press conference. The officials expressed their solidarity and thanked the authorities for managing the Ukrainian refugees’ flow who had to leave their homes in search of a safe shelter on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. They announced that the European Union will provide €20 million to the Republic of Moldova for managing the refugee crisis. €15 million will be provided to the Republic of Moldova for managing the flow of refugees, and €5 million will be offered as humanitarian aid for Ukrainians who came to the Republic of Moldova.

“Moldovan authorities and people have shown generosity in providing immediate support to the refugees fleeing Ukraine, be it Ukrainians or third country nationals. You can be sure, and that’s why we are here today to express our support and solidarity with the Republic of Moldova in the current situation in all areas: from humanitarian, energy and electricity, macro-financial assistance to security and defense,” mentioned Josep Borrell.

“Our assistance of course goes beyond the immediate needs. We are very much aware of the acute energy crisis that you are facing. We have already provided €60 million of direct assistance for the most vulnerable customers. And we have proposed a Macro Financial Assistance of €150 million which we hope to conclude very quickly, 20% of which, so €30 million will be purely grants. And fourth, we continue to implement the longer-term plans. The Economic Recovery Plan for Moldova which is designed at the level of €600 million is already delivering results on the ground for the people, but we need to continue implementing it,” mentioned Olivér Várhelyi.

After the European officials met the president of the Republic of Moldova, the High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell and the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi met the president of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Igor Grosu. They continued their visit meeting the Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita.

The next day of the officials started with the Moldexpo Refugee Center. Josep Borrell and Olivér Várhelyi appreciated the assistance provided by the authorities to the citizens of Ukraine and mentioned that they will support the efforts of the Republic of Moldova to manage the crisis. The two officials also thanked Moldovan citizens who responded by providing food, transportation and accommodation to the refugees.