Barry Cowen
Question:63. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is helping Moldova cope with the impact of the war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/23]
View answerThursday, 27 April 2023
Questions (63)
Written answers
Ireland has been a strong advocate for the provision of greater assistance to Moldova, a country that continues to be disproportionately impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In December 2022, the Government approved €5 million in support to Moldova, to be channelled via the World Bank Multi-donor Trust Fund. This funding is in addition to humanitarian aid provided earlier in 2022. The funds are focused on mitigating the disproportionate impact of the war in Ukraine on refugees and households in Moldova, supporting the provision of essential public services, and efforts to increase resilience in the energy sector.
The EU has also provided Moldova with significant financial support. On 5 April, the European Commission announced that it will pay €50 million in financial support to the Republic of Moldova as part of the ongoing Macro-Financial Assistance operation, under which a total of €150 million will be provided in loans and grants. This contribution demonstrates the significant support that the EU is providing to Moldova, one of the countries most directly and heavily impacted by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ireland is, and will continue to be, steadfast in our support for Moldova, not least in the context of their EU candidate status. We will continue to actively support efforts at EU level to assist Moldova, which is even more critical in the context of increasing evidence of destabilising activities by Russia.
The Foreign Affairs Council agreed on 24 April to the establishment of an EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova). The objective of this civilian mission will be to enhance the resilience of the security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference.
Work is also ongoing at EU level on a European Peace Facility (EPF) Assistance Measure, which will provide non-lethal support to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova, and is expected to be formally agreed in the coming weeks.
Ireland supports the proposal to establish a new autonomous restrictive measures regime to counter actions aimed at destabilising the Republic of Moldova and its constitutional order. This was also discussed by the EU Foreign Ministers at their meeting on 24 April.
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 18.