Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
132. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the financial support in new money terms being made available directly to Moldova, Poland and Romania by the European Union to support their ongoing efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/22]
View answerOn 5 April, the European Council authorised the disbursement of €150 million in loans and grants to Moldova in the coming months to support its financial stability and substantive reform agenda.
Also on 5 April, Germany, France, and Romania hosted EU Member States, including Ireland, as well as other international partners at the Moldova Support Conference “Bridge of Solidarity”, which raised €659.5 million in grants and loans. The Commission pledged €53 million in the form of a budget support programme for Moldova.
The EU has provided €13 million in humanitarian assistance for refugees in Moldova. The EU is also providing humanitarian aid assistance to Moldova via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
In terms of border management, the EU has provided Moldova with a €30 million package to support Moldova’s border management at the border with Ukraine. This includes the relocation of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Chisinau and direct cooperation between Moldovan border guards and Frontex officials at the border.
The EU is providing long-term support to Moldova by means of the Economic and Investment Plan, which foresees the mobilisation of €600 million over the next three years to leverage €3.4 billion in public and private investments in Moldova. On 5 May, the EU announced the mobilisation of a further €52 million to support long-term resilience, recovery, and reforms in Moldova.
The EU has allocated €7 million in funding from the European Peace Facility to support Moldova’s defence capabilities, including its ability to finance field hospitals, ambulances, medical equipment, and other essential equipment.
In light of the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine and refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries for safety, the European Commission continues to coordinate emergency assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for the people in Ukraine. Significant additional resources are being delivered to EU Member States via EU Civil Protection Mechanism to assist with response to the conflict in Ukraine, the full value of which will be clarified in due course.
As of 27 April, 6 Member States (Denmark, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Estonia) and Norway have made offers to Poland (vaccines, shelter, field beds, blankets, towels) to support the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
