President Maia Sandu discussed with the Director General of DG NEAR, Gert Jan Koopman

The head of state met Gert Jan Koopman, Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), who is on a working visit to Chisinau. The officials discussed the progress made by the Republic of Moldova in the key areas covered by the Commission's nine recommendations for EU candidate country status.

The citizens of the Republic of Moldova chose a European future at home and they said this bluntly at the "European Moldova" Assembly on May 21. The European Commission and the EU member states help the Republic of Moldova to build a safe and prosperous life for all citizens, by supporting the institutions that ensure public order and the national economy. The Republic of Moldova continues to count on further assistance from the European Union to strengthen public institutions.

Yesterday, the European Union announced that it is allocating eight million euros that will help entrepreneurs in the country to develop their businesses and open new jobs. The money will come in the form of grants to co-finance seven programs to support small and medium-sized enterprises, implemented by the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship. As well, thanks to the Republic of Moldova's recent acceptance into the Connecting Europe Facility, we will be able to obtain funding for infrastructure development in the transport, energy and digital sectors.