EU programme to support the development of rural localities extended until 2024

The European Union (EU) programme to support the development of rural localities is to be extended until March 2024, according to a decision approved by the Government. Of the 18 projects proposed in the action plan, 16 have already been implemented, said Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu. He also said that following the implementation of the project, the citizens of Balti and Soldanesti will have access to drinking water and students will benefit from European conditions for studies.

The government has denounced eight agreements concluded on the CIS platform

Eight more agreements concluded on the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) platform were denounced at today's Cabinet meeting. Agreements in areas such as energy, education and culture are no longer effective, and their relevance has been exhausted, said the spokesman of the Executive, Daniel Voda.

The Government has approved the Plan of Measures to prepare for the 2023-2024 heating season. It is proposed to reduce gas consumption by 15%

Gradually increasing the volumes of stored natural gas, replenishing state reserves of fuel oil and coal, increasing commercial power generation capacity at Moldova's border with Romania are some of the actions included in the Plan of Measures to Prepare for the 2023-2024 Heating Season, approved by the Government on Wednesday. The approved measures also aim to reduce energy and natural gas consumption by 15 percent, Energy Minister Victor Parlicov stressed.

The Republic of Moldova has not yet requested the extradition of Veaceslav Platon. Dragalin: "We want to wait until we have enough arguments"

The Republic of Moldova has not yet requested the extradition of Veaceslav Platon from the UK because there are certain problems at Interpol level, said the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Veronica Dragalin. During the criminal trial, the controversial businessman, who is named in the Laundromat case for fraud and money laundering, did not appear in court, and law enforcement authorities managed to bring charges against him in his absence.

Chisinau's decision to reduce the number of Russian diplomats in Moldova, appreciated by experts

The number of diplomats and technical staff of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova, established by the authorities in Chisinau, is sufficient to ensure interaction on all dimensions between the two countries, according to participants in the public debate "Diplomatic parity and its price", organized by IPN Agency. In their opinion, the Russian Federation would be interested in maintaining its influence in the region, including in Moldova, and this can be achieved implicitly through the so-called camouflaged diplomats.

Veronica Dragalin: The conviction of Ilan Shor, one of the progresses made in the "Bank Fraud" case

The final conviction of Ilan Shor was one of the advances made in the high-profile "Bank Fraud" case, said Veronica Dragalin, head of the Anti Corruption Prosecutor's Office. At a press conference held on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of her mandate, the head of the Anti-Corruption Office also said that the authorities have taken all the necessary steps to request Ilan Shor's extradition from Israel so that he can serve his sentence in Moldova.

First medal for the Republic of Moldova at the 2023 World University Games

After parading at the opening ceremony of the World Universiade, Moldovan athletes won their first medal at the competition taking place in the Chinese city of Chengdu. Judoka Radu Izvoreanu won the silver medal in the up to 66 kg weight category, Moldova1 reports.

US official: Russia wants to secure weapons from North Korea for Ukraine campaign

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the real purpose of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shigu's trip to North Korea is to secure weapons stocks for Moscow's campaign in Ukraine, BBC reports.

Poland accuses Belarus of waging a hybrid war using Wagner mercenaries

Poland has accused Belarus of waging a hybrid war using mercenaries from Russia's private Wagner group. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he had received information that Wagner fighters were very close to its border, reports the BBC.

Kindergartens unprepared to accommodate children with disabilities. Dan Perciun: "There is no separate funding mechanism"

Kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova are not ready to enrol children with disabilities in the pre-school system due to a lack of budget for them, Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun said. According to the official, one of the priorities of his institution is to promote inclusive education.

EU suspended with immediate effect financial support and security cooperation with Niger

The European Union has suspended with immediate effect financial support and security cooperation with Niger following the military coup in the country, a senior EU diplomat said on Saturday, Reuters reports.

Ukrainian refugee women can start businesses in Moldova

Refugee women from Ukraine can get involved in business and open their own enterprise in the Republic of Moldova, thanks to a recently launched educational project. Through this project, refugee women are encouraged to present their business ideas and write business plans, for which they will also receive a grant of $5,000. Business representatives point out that every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, has access to investment development and can easily set up a business in our country.