In the presence of Presidents Maia Sandu and Klaus Iohannis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Nicu Popescu signed together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Bogdan Aurescu the plan on priority areas of cooperation between Moldova and Romania.

It is a comprehensive document, meant to accelerate in a concrete way the process of European integration of Moldova, ensuring economic and social development for the direct benefit of all citizens. Today, in Bucharest, we are taking new steps to bring Moldova closer to Romania and the European zone, not only through words but also through concrete actions, said Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu.

The plan refers to the commitments of both parties for:

• energy interconnection

We will make every effort to put the Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipeline into operation in the shortest possible time and to achieve interconnections in the field of electricity.

• conclusion of a new Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on the implementation of the technical and financial assistance program based on a non-reimbursable financial aid granted by Romania to the Republic of Moldova, to fulfill the functions of the Agreement signed in 2010 and expired on March 28, 2021

• transport infrastructure – construction of the road bridge Ungheni (Romania) – Ungheni (Moldova), consolidation of the road bridge Galați-Giurgiulești, rehabilitation of the railway bridge Galați-Giurgiulești

• communications and the information society

We set out to accelerate efforts to identify concrete solutions that would make it possible to reduce charges for international calls and roaming services.

• cooperation in the field of cyber security

We will hold consultations at the level of the responsible institutions in the two states.

• regional and territorial cooperation

We confirmed the joint commitment to complete the implementation of territorial cooperation projects based on the Joint Operational Program Romania – Moldova 2014 – 2020.

• protection of the environment, waters, and forests

We will access Romania’s expertise in the elaboration of the Forestry Code; development of wood traceability tracking software; functioning of the Environment Agency (newly created); Global Environmental Fund software management.

• education and research

We agreed to speed up the necessary procedures for signing the Protocol of Bilateral Cooperation between the two Ministries of Education and highlighted the common interest in developing cooperation between institutions that organize continuing education programs for teachers in Moldova and Romania.

• culture

We stressed the need to conclude, based on the Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between the ministries, a Protocol on the annual organization of the Festival of National Theaters of Moldova and Romania to regulate organizational and financial issues and ensure the sustainability of the project.

• health

Initiatives to increase the safety and protection of the population will be continued by improving the training and maintaining the intervention capacity of professional emergency services (including SMURD), in the cross-border area Romania – Moldova.

• work

We will strengthen the bilateral dialogue in the field of social inspection, social security, development of social services, reform of social assistance benefits, child protection, employment, vocational training for adults, migration for work, equal opportunities for women and men, inspection employment and the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.

• cooperation in the field of internal affairs

New projects will be launched that will improve response capabilities and ensure the continuity of ongoing actions in areas such as border management, illegal migration, cross-border crime, police cooperation, and emergencies;

• cooperation in the field of public finances and European funds

Cooperation between the two central banks will be expanded in areas such as banking supervision, crisis management, the activity of payment service providers and electronic money issuers, financial market infrastructures, cash operations.

• cooperation in the field of justice

Romania will provide support to Moldova in the justice reform process.

• agriculture

A dynamic dialogue between the profile institutions

• trade and investment cooperation

Romania is the first trading partner of Moldova. We aim to consolidate the Romanian investment in our country.

• official development assistance

Moldova occupies a central place in Romania’s policies in the field of international development cooperation.

• cooperation on the line of foreign ministries

There is an opening to deepen collaboration on this level.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu claims that it was agreed to give priority to monitoring the implementation of projects, public communication on Romania’s contribution, ensuring co-financing from Moldova.