Minister Burke pledges €2 million in additional support to Moldova

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Peter Burke, has attended the 4th meeting of the Moldova Support Platform (MSP) in Chișinău today. The initiative, co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Romania, and Moldova, aims to mobilise, concentrate and coordinate political, technical and financial support for the Republic of Moldova from the EU institutions and member states, G7 nations, international financial institutions and global organisations, as well as other partners.

Minister Burke said:

"I am delighted to pledge €2 million in Chișinău today to assist the Government of Moldova in making critical investments in the context of its EU membership perspective. This support will ensure Moldova continues to strengthen its institutional capacity and resilience as the country progresses along its European path.

"It is evident that Moldova is committed to its ambitious reform agenda and to realising its EU membership ambitions. This commitment is particularly commendable in light of the significant challenges that Moldova faces, not least in relation to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. Ireland will continue to be a steadfast advocate for Moldova at the EU level."

In addition to participating in the 4th meeting of the MSP, Minister Burke also intends to hold a series of bilateral engagements with high-level interlocutors from the Moldovan government, EU Member States and Institutions, the OSCE and civil society, including meetings with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Nicu Popescu, and with Moldovan State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Stela Leuca.

Minister Burke reiterated Ireland’s steadfast support for Moldova’s EU membership application and solidarity with the country in face of the ongoing challenges it faces in the current geo-political context. He also received an update on Moldova’s progress in implementing the European Commission’s nine recommendations with regard to its EU candidate status.

Notes

This is the 4th meeting of the Moldova Support Platform (MSP), an initiative of Romania, Germany and France that aims to mobilize, concentrate and coordinate political, technical and financial support for the Republic of Moldova from the EU institutions and member states, G7 nations, international financial institutions and global organizations, as well as other partners.

The €2 million in funding will be channelled through the World Bank M-GROW for Moldova programme and follows the €5 million provided by Ireland to Moldova in budgetary support last year.

Moldova was granted EU candidate status by the European Council on 23 June 2022 on the basis that the nine recommendations set out by the European Commission in its Opinion of 17 June 2022 would be implemented.