Photo: Alexandru Munteanu and Benjamin Haddad
This support from Paris was highly appreciated by Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, who held a meeting with the French delegate for European affairs, Benjamin Haddad, on May 14. The participants in the meeting discussed the current regional situation, the goals of the bilateral agenda and the possibilities to strengthen the Moldovan-French dialog.
Another goal mentioned by the officials is aimed at attracting French investments. The prime minister emphasized Moldova’s interest in boosting economic ties with France and in encouraging French business people to invest in sectors with development potential, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, industry and modern technologies.
New investment agreements
The government today signed two more agreements with the French Development Agency, under which Moldova will benefit from 60 million euros to modernize the irrigation infrastructure and improve farmers’ access to water. The financial package includes a 45-million-euro loan and a 15-million-euro grant. The grant represents the first investment project under Moldova’s Growth Plan, the largest European program of economic support for Moldova.
According to the government’s press service, on the lands covered by the rehabilitated systems, the agricultural production can increase by at least 50 per cent compared to the average of the last 10 years. Thanks to these investments, farmers will have better access to water for irrigation and the agricultural sector will become more resilient to drought and water management problems.
Also today, the officials signed a declaration of intentions on a joint information and communication strategy on the challenges of Moldova’s EU accession process. The document confirms the close cooperation between Chisinau and Paris in backing the country’s European path.
