Moldova Seeks EU Marshall Plan for Recovery
Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed a conference on the European Union's 2024 Annual Budget in Brussels, urging the EU to establish a modern-day Marshall Plan to bolster economic recovery in Moldova and Ukraine.
Sandu emphasised the EU's crucial role in countering Russian aggression. "The European Union must actively promote good to counter the forces of evil," she stated. Her presence at the conference, a rare invitation for leaders of non-EU member states, underscored the urgency of the situation.
The Moldovan president advocated for a shift in the EU's priorities, urging a move away from an excessively meticulous budgetary approach and towards a more strategic focus on geopolitical considerations. She referenced the post-World War II Marshall Plan, a US initiative that revitalised Europe's economy, as a model for the EU's potential intervention.
During her visit to Brussels, Sandu also held a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel.
EU Budget and Moldova's Share
The EU budget, exceeding €189 billion, is jointly proposed by the European Commission and the European Parliament. The final decision on the budget's approval rests with the Parliament.
€17 billion of the budget is allocated to the EU's "neighbourhood," which encompasses Ukraine, Moldova, and Balkan candidate countries.
A significant portion of the budget is earmarked for migration (€3.7 billion) and European defence (€2 billion), reflecting the EU's growing emphasis on establishing an independent defence system separate from NATO.
The EU remains the primary source of external funding for Moldova. Between 2021 and 2024, the EU provided €260 million in financial assistance, supporting areas ranging from the rule of law and justice to environmental protection and digital transformation.
Moldova's total trade volume with the EU reached €7.3 billion last year. In July 2023, Brussels granted Moldova one year of complete trade liberalisation, particularly for agricultural products exported from Moldova to the EU.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
