European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid an official visit to Republic of Moldova on Thursday, where she announced a €250mln support package to help the nation overcome an acute winter energy crisis amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to AP News.
Von der Leyen said that the Republic of Moldova, which neighbors Ukraine, will receive €100mln in grants and the same amount again in loans from the 27-nation bloc to help it meet its gas needs this winter, starting January 1.
“An additional €50mln will help the country’s most vulnerable citizens,” she added.
“European solidarity with the Republic of Moldova is unshakable,” von der Leyen said at a news conference in the capital, Chisinau, after meeting with pro-Western President Maia Sandu. “We assure you that we will do our best to help you through this crisis.”
The Republic of Moldova, which has a population of about 2.6 million, is entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas. But Russia has used that dependence to pressure the country over its alignment with the West and in recent weeks halved its gas supplies, triggering an unprecedented energy crisis as winter begins to grip.
Sandu has said that Moscow’s decision to reduce supplies amounts to “political blackmail” in the country where household energy tariffs have increased six-fold in the past year amid skyrocketing inflation.
“We are facing the worst energy crisis in three decades,” stated Sandu. “A crisis in which energy resources are being used as weapons against democracy.”
In June, Republic of Moldova was granted EU candidate status, but the country likely won’t obtain full membership for years, since it is conditional on a series of reforms in areas such as tackling corruption, organized crime and strengthening human rights and the rule of law.
Von der Leyen stated that a donors’ meeting will be held in Paris later this month, to help the country purchase energy resources. “Republic of Moldova is part of our European family. And family must stick together when the times are getting tough and difficult,” she added.
On Friday, the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will also pay an official visit to The Republic of Moldova.