CELEX: 51995PC0533
Language: en
Date: 1995-11-10
Title: Proposal for a Council Decision providing further macro-financial assistance for Moldova

Avis juridique important

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51995PC0533

Proposal for a Council Decision providing further macro-financial assistance for Moldova  /* COM/95/0533 FINAL - CNS 95/0275 */  

Official Journal C 015 , 20/01/1996 P. 0011

Proposal for a Council Decision providing  further macro-financial assistance for Moldova(96/C  15/08)COM(95) 533 final -  95/0275(CNS)(Submitted by the Commission on 10 November 1995)THE COUNCIL OF THE  EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235  thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission submitted after consulting the Monetary Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, Whereas Moldova is undertaking fundamental political and economic reforms and is making substantial  efforts to implement a market economy model; Whereas Moldova on the one hand and the European Communities and their Member States on the other  hand, have signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which will help the development of a full  cooperation relationship; Whereas the authorities of Moldova have requested financial assistance from the international  financial institutions, the European Community and other bilateral donors, and whereas, over and  above the estimated financing which could be provided by the IMF and the World Bank, a residual  financing gap of some US$ 50 million remains to be covered in 1995, in order to support the policy  objectives attached to the government's reform effort; Whereas Moldova has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a stand-by arrangement in  support of the country's economic programme and whereas this arrangement has been approved by the  IMF Board on 22 March 1995; Whereas, by Decision 94/346/EC  (1), the Council approved macro-financial assistance for Moldova of  up to ECU 45 million; whereas, however, further official support is required in order to support  the balance of payments, consolidate the reserve position and comfort the necessary structural  reforms in this country; Whereas an additional Community loan facility to Moldova is an appropriate measure to help easing  the country's external financial constraints; Whereas the Community loan facility should be managed by the Commission; Whereas the Treaty does not provide for the adoption of this Decision, powers other than those of  Article 235, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1.  The Community shall make available to Moldova a long-term loan  facility of a maximum principal amount of ECU 15 million with a maximum duration of 10 years, with  a view to ensuring a sustainable balance-of-payments situation, strengthening the country's reserve  position and comforting the implementation of the necessary structural reforms. 2.  To this end the Commission is empowered to borrow, on behalf of the European Community, the  necessary resources that will be placed at the disposal of Moldova in the form of a loan. 3.  This loan will be managed by the Commission in close consultation with the Monetary Committee  and in a manner consistent with any agreement reached between the IMF and Moldova. Article 2 1.  The Commission is empowered to agree with the Moldovan authorities, after  consulting the Monetary Committee, of the economic policy conditions attached to the loan facility.  These conditions shall be consistent with the agreements referred to in Article 1  (3). 2.  The Commission shall verify at regular intervals, in collaboration with the Monetary Committee  and in close coordination with the IMF, that the economic policy in Moldova is in accordance with  the objectives of this loan facility and that its conditions are being fulfilled. Article 3 1.  The loan shall be made available to Moldova in a single tranche, which shall be  released subject to the provisions of Article 2 and subject to satisfactory progress being recorded  in Moldova's application of the stand-by arrangement agreed with the IMF. 2.  The funds shall be paid to the National Bank of Moldova. Article 4 1.  The borrowing and lending operations referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out  using the same value date and must not involve the Community in the transformation of maturities,  in any exchange or interest rate risk, or in any other commercial risk. 2.  The Commission shall take the necessary steps, if Moldova so requests, to ensure that an early  repayment clause is included in the loan terms and conditions, and that it may be exercised. 3.  At the request of Moldova, and where circumstances permit an improvement in the interest rate  on the loans, the Commission may refinance all or part of its initial borrowings or restructure the  corresponding financial conditions. Refinancing or restructuring operations shall be carried out in  accordance with the conditions set out in paragraph 1 and shall not have the effect of extending  the average maturity of the borrowing concerned or increasing the amount, expressed at the current  exchange rate, of capital outstanding at the date of the refinancing or restructuring. 4.  All related costs incurred by the Community in concluding and carrying out the operation under  this Decision shall be borne by Moldova. 5.  The Monetary Committee shall be kept informed of developments in the operations referred to in  paragraphs 2 and 3 at least once a year. Article 5 At least once a year the Commission shall address to the European Parliament and to the  Council a report, which will include an evaluation, on the implementation of this Decision. (1) OJ No L 155, 22. 6. 1994, p. 27.