USA could grant Moldova $50 mln. Blinken, in Chisinau: "I am here to bring, on behalf of President Biden, the guarantee for Moldova's sovereignty"
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reaffirmed, on Wednesday, in Chisinau, his country's support for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova and for its sovereignty, in the context of Russian threats and the war in neighboring Ukraine. The US official announced $50 million in new financial aid to support justice reform and other areas, including combating Russian interference and holding free and fair elections. This assistance would be discussed in the US Congress, the diplomat said. The funds are included in the budget for the new fiscal year that begins in the fall in the US.
"We will work with Congress to provide an additional $50 million to further advance these (re: cleaning up the judiciary) efforts." It will strengthen the ability of the Republic of Moldova to resist Russian interference, to organize free and fair elections, to continue the path towards the EU and to create more opportunities in the economic field", said the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during a press conference held jointly with the president Maia Sandu.
The American official also assured that the US will continue to support strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, to help it counter "actions coming from the Russian Federation".
"I am here bringing from President Biden the guarantee for the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova", concluded the US diplomat.
For her part, President Maia Sandu thanked the US for the "constant support" given to our country over the years. Likewise, the president thanked the American diplomat for Washington's support for Kiev.
"Support for Ukraine also means support for the security of the Republic of Moldova. (...) Ukraine and UU need a strong and democratic Moldova, not a country that is in a gray area", said the president Maia Sandu.
We remind that this is the second visit of the head of American diplomacy to the Republic of Moldova, since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The United States is one of the most important partners and supporters of the Republic of Moldova. Since 1992, the US Government has supported Moldova with funding exceeding 2.5 billion dollars.
Since the outbreak of Russia's war against Ukraine, the United States has provided Moldova with financial assistance worth $774 million, of which $300 million is intended to overcome the energy crisis and strengthen energy security.
Of these funds, $80 million has been used to offset natural gas and electricity bills for low-income citizens, and $135 million is being allocated to increase domestic power generation and the construction of a high-voltage transmission line. 400kV, through the Strășeni (Moldova) and Gutinaș (Romania) power stations, which will connect Moldova to Romania's power grid, thus facilitating integration into the European energy network.
