Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
38. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will offer assistance to Moldova to help them prepare for EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28616/23]
View answerIreland welcomed the decision of the European Council last June to grant EU candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine, an outcome we had long advocated for. As I reiterated when I spoke to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in January, and as the Taoiseach reaffirmed to President Sandu in Chisinau on 1 June, Ireland strongly supports Moldova's application for EU membership.
In Brussels, we have worked with a group of like-minded Member States to propose a range of political and practical steps through with the European Commission might advance Moldova’s European perspective, as well as that of Ukraine and Georgia. This has included targeted EU technical and expert support to develop national negotiating platforms, and comprehensive communication strategies to inform the public throughout the accession process.
Officials from my Department, including our Ambassador accredited to Moldova, also regularly discuss with Moldovan government officials other measures that Ireland might take to support to accelerate Moldova’s path to accession. For instance, at Moldova’s request, Minister of State Fleming recently hosted President’s Sandu’s Advisor on Diaspora Policy in Dublin for a series of meetings to share our experience of supporting and engaging with diaspora and attracting investment.
The EU has also provided significant financial assistance as part of the ongoing Macro-Financial Assistance operation. On 30 May, the General Affairs Council decided to nearly double the amount of macro-financial assistance to Moldova, meaning that a total of €295 million in loans and grants will be available to support Moldova's economic stabilisation and structural reform agenda.
The EU has also provided €87 million to Moldova in assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) since its establishment in March 2021. A civilian EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) was launched on 22 May, to contribute to the strengthening of Moldova’s crisis management structures and its resilience to hybrid threats. On 28 April, at the request of Moldova, the EU adopted a new sanctions framework to target individuals responsible for undermining the sovereignty and independence of the country, as well as Moldova’s constitutional order. On 30 May, the General Affairs Council approved a list of five persons to be subject to sanctions under this framework.
Ireland has also been supporting Moldova bilaterally. In December 2022, the Government approved €5 million in assistance for Moldova via the World Bank Multi-donor Trust Fund, which will go towards supporting the provision of essential public services, and efforts to increase resilience in the energy sector. This funding is in addition to humanitarian aid provided earlier in 2022.
