Debate: State of play of the EU-Moldova cooperation
Date: THURSDAY, 5 MAY 2022
Speaker: Olivér Várhelyi
Language: EN

Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on 24 February, we are witnessing extreme human suffering with many lives lost and millions fleeing Ukraine. I want to praise the solidarity shown by the Moldovan Government and the people of Moldova, who have welcomed those fleeing and opened their homes, and they are helping as we speak.  After the COVID—19 pandemic and the gas crisis, which is far from being resolved, this refugee crisis is another major challenge for Moldova. The European Union stood by Moldova through the COVID—19 pandemic, the European Union stood by Moldova when the gas crisis hit last autumn, and the European Union will continue to stand by Moldova as it supports the refugees from this unprovoked war.  I also take this debate as an occasion to thank this House for your continued support for our ongoing work with Moldova. The EU stands in full solidarity with Moldova in these difficult times. Let me focus on some of the actions on the ground that we are taking together with our partners in Moldova. First, we have mobilised EUR 30 million in humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the refugees, in particular, to finance cash transfers. The EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) immediately reoriented its actions towards assisting the managing of the inflow of refugees to Moldova. EUBAM actions have been reinforced by EUR 15 million and the scope has been expanded to allow them to provide necessary equipment for border police and conduct the training of newly recruited staff by the Moldovan authorities.  A new EUR 15 million regional project is being put in place to support migration management and to help people to reach safety and security, whether that is in Moldova or beyond.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, is stepping up its operations in Moldova and will deploy in total up to 80 officers and staff to work hand in hand with the Moldovan border guards to help them manage the situation at the border. On 5 April, we announced the further financial assistance of EUR 53 million budget support to help fund Moldova’s efforts to address the immediate challenges.  I also want to express our concern about the reported incidents in the Transnistria region. We are monitoring the situation closely. In this context, we are stepping up our support to strengthen Moldova’s resilience, notably by working on cybersecurity, hybrid threats, fighting disinformation, and providing Moldova’s armed forces with medical, logistics and communication equipment. I want to reiterate the EU’s unwavering support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU remains fully committed to facilitating a comprehensive, peaceful and sustainable settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.  We continue to work with our Moldovan partners to secure long—term recovery, resilience and reforms. In this context, we welcome that the co—legislators have approved a EUR 150 million macro—financial assistance programme for Moldova. The Commission will now make the first disbursement very early in the summer. Moreover, we are providing an assistance programme for 2021, worth EUR 52 million, which has recently been adopted. This will support SMEs and the economy, important reforms in the energy sector, including energy efficiency, as well as justice reforms and capacity building. We will follow quickly with the 2022 annual programme in the region of EUR 65 million.  We are also exploring options and looking at how best to help Moldova in facing the continued fallout of the gas crisis and improving socioeconomic resilience. And, of course, we keep rolling out investments under the economic recovery plan, worth EUR 600 million, and the Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan. Under the latter, we expect to mobilise around EUR 3.4 billion of public and private investments for the five flagships focusing on SMEs, trade facilitation, energy efficiency, connectivity and human capital development. Finally, let me say some words on Moldova’s application for EU membership. Following the request by the Council, the Commission is working on the opinion on this application now. Normally, this is a very complex and lengthy process but, because of the current situation, we are working in an accelerated manner. We are impressed that we have already received the answers to the first part of the questionnaire from the Moldovan authorities.  Once the Commission has adopted its opinion, further decisions on Moldova’s European path will be up to the Council to decide. We do not have a precise timing yet when the Commission will adopt the opinion, but we are preparing ourselves in such a way that this could happen ahead of the European Council of 24—25 June this year.