Moldova may receive additional 523M euros from EU this year

Moldova could receive an additional 523 million euros in support by the end of this year, provided it implements all reforms envisaged in the European Union's Growth Plan for the country.

Report's European bureau informs that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this at a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa and Moldovan President Maia Sandu following the EU-Moldova summit.

She noted that Chisinau had already implemented 93% of the reforms.

This has already allowed 504 million euros in European funds to be unlocked for Moldova, Ursula von der Leyen said.

According to her, the additional funds could be used to build roads and bridges, modernize healthcare infrastructure, expand companies' access to financing and create new opportunities for citizens.

Von der Leyen also said that 200 million euros had already been allocated to Moldova, making it the second-largest recipient of bilateral assistance under the European Peace Facility after Ukraine.

She said the EU is preparing a new 120 million euro support package for 2026 to address Moldova's security needs. In addition, the bloc will allocate 11 million euros to strengthen Moldova's resilience to hybrid threats and 17 million euros to develop border infrastructure.

The European Commission president said last week's opening of the first negotiation cluster on membership marked a historic milestone on Moldova's path toward EU accession and recognition of the country's reforms despite pressure and hybrid attacks from Russia.