Prime Minister Ion Chicu held a press briefing after his first official visit as Moldova’s prime minister to Moscow. During the press briefing, he stated all the results of the visit among which was Russia’s agreement to open a credit line of more than $500 million for investment projects in Moldova. Shortly after Prime Minister’s Chicu statements the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and the representative of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, explained the difference between assistance offered by Russia and the one offered by the European Union.

On November 20, Prime Minister Ion Chicu made his first official visit as Moldova’s prime minister to Moscow. After his visit, Prime Minister Chicu held a press briefing regarding the results of the visit. 

During the press briefing, the Prime Minister mentioned that the gas price from January 1, 2020, will decrease to 172 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.

Chicu also mentioned that he obtained the agreement of the authorities of the Russian Federation to expand the list of categories of goods exported on the Russian market without customs duties, but also Russia’s agreement to open a credit line of more than €400 million ($500 million) for investment projects.

After Prime Minister’s Chicu statements, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, and the representative of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Peter Michalko, explained for the Radio Europa Libera Moldova the difference between assistance offered by Russia and the one offered by the European Union. 

Nicu Popescu mentioned that Russia doesn’t offer great economic favors as the €400 million ($500 million) assistance for investment projects is a loan, which the country will have to pay back. Popescu stated that the new government should take into consideration the offer of non-reimbursable assistance of €100 million, from Romania, which is a gift and not a loan.   

The former Minister also commented on the unlocking of potential exported goods to Russia. Popescu mentioned that Moldova and Russia have a free trade area, so there should be no trade restrictions, no list of companies that can access the Russian market, and no exception to this free trade area. 

“And in this regard, including with regard to the new government, I do not see that Russia is fundamentally reviewing its position by which it should revert to the free trade zone regime in trade between the Russian Federation and Moldova,” Popescu added.

The head of the E.U. Delegation to Moldova, Peter Michalko, commented on the difference between the €400 million ($500 million) assistance for investment projects offered by Russia and the assistance offered by the E.U.

Ambassador Michalko mentioned that unlike the loans where the country has to see the conditions with which they come, the E.U. offers non-refundable grants for Moldova’s development, and also support for reforms and standards that open Europe and the global market for Moldovan products.

Peter Michalko recalled that in the 2014-2020 budget year, the European Union offers to Moldova, in bilateral programs only, between €610 and €740 million, non-refundable amounts. 

In addition, many tens of millions come through regional programs for the Eastern Partnership, for the countries of the Danube region and the Black Sea region. 

“Important amounts also come through cross-border programs with Romania, which is the source of many millions of euros that can be used for infrastructure. These things are not comparable, because we are talking about grants here,” the Ambassador added.

Previously, in 2009, Moscow made a similar promise, with the same amount, when in power in Moldova was the Communist Party of Vladimir Voronin, but the money never arrived to Moldova.