EU will closely monitor Moldova's use of the €1.9 billion aid. Janis Mazeiks: "Trust, but verify"
The European Union will closely monitor how the authorities in Chisinau manage the funds from the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova. EU Ambassador Janis Mazeiks warned that officials who embezzle European funds may face criminal charges. He noted that Moldovan legislation currently holds individuals accountable for the misuse of EU funds, which serves as an incentive to ensure that “things are done correctly.”
“I can say like Ronald Reagan: “Trust, but verify.” For us, both aspects will matter. Of course, it will be the responsibility of the Moldovan authorities to ensure that these funds are used correctly. Moreover, in this regard, there is also a commitment to strengthen the audit system – the Moldovan audit”, Janis Mazeiks said in a TV show on ONE TV.
The European official added that “there is also a commitment to publish the beneficiaries of financial funds that receive amounts greater than 50 thousand euros, to ensure transparency: “There is a control system both here and at the Brussels level”.
Mazeiks expressed confidence that transparency in managing these funds will be ensured, noting that this is also why the EU supports the justice reform and the vetting process. “It is very important for us that the justice reform continues. And this aspect is also addressed in the Growth Plan”.
Regarding the way the EU monitors the funds, the ambassador said that there is a mechanism based on certain already functional structures: “There are quite a few levels, because the delegation has also been expanded—we have an entire department that deals only with monitoring the correct use of our funds. There are the control systems of the European Union, and there will also be a special system created for these projects”, the official added.
The first financing from the European Union Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova is expected in July, announced the EU ambassador in Chisinau. According to him, the funds have not been contracted, as the necessary documents are in the process of ratification. “This is the time horizon we are targeting now. There is still one document that is being coordinated and that needs to be finalized by both the Moldovan and European sides”.
The diplomat said that the financial support will be granted twice a year, depending on the progress made in implementing the undertaken reforms: "Each one has a clear calendar with the steps that must be implemented either by December, by June, depending on the respective year. And for the EU and the Moldovan authorities it will be quite easy to monitor how these steps are being fulfilled. And if they are not fulfilled, the funding will not be granted".
Asked whether this aid also includes funds for financing the media, Janis Mazeiks said that "directly not," but he hopes that the development of the Republic of Moldova's economy will indirectly benefit the press by increasing the advertising market.
“Our big goal is for the economy of the Republic of Moldova to double in the next 10 years. Thus, the economy will grow and it will be good for the mass media as well. Of course, we will continue our projects that we already have to support the media, civil society”.
In the context of the parliamentary elections on September 28, the European Union Ambassador to Chisinau, Janis Mazeiks, stated that the future European path of the Republic of Moldova depends entirely on the will of the citizens and the political forces that will reach the future Legislative.
“I will not hide this, because I have always said that everything depends on the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. (...) What I said, and I continue to say, is that, from our point of view, it is important that the European integration path continues”, declared the ambassador, recalling that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova supported this path by voting in last year’s referendum.
The European diplomat noted that our country has effectively capitalized on the opportunities offered by the European Union over the past three and a half years: "If it continues to use them as well, then the approach to joining the European Union will be rapid. However, if steps are taken in other directions, this process may slow down, stop or even reverse. We have seen where the "foreign agents" law led in Georgia".
The European Parliament voted on March 11 for the final approval of the 1.9 billion euro Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova - an initiative launched by the European Commission in October 2024. It provides 400 million euros through non-repayable grants and 1.5 billion euros in soft loans. The disbursement of funds is conditional on compliance with democratic principles such as free elections, independent press, functioning of justice and guaranteeing human rights.
The funds may be transferred in tranches during the period 2025–2027, depending on the fulfillment of certain reform conditionalities. The actual payments may be made by June 30, 2029. 75% of the loan will be used for budget support and 25% for financing investment projects.
