OREANDA-NEWS. February 25, 2011. Sweden will be providing Moldova with a EUR 12 million assistance every year for the next 4 years to support reforms and the European integration process. It is stipulated by the new Strategy of development and cooperation with Moldova for 2011-2014 approved by the Swedish government.

The Swedish Minister of International Development and Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson said the Strategy confirms Sweden’s obligations to support development of relations between Moldova and the European Union in the framework of the Eastern partnership, according to the press release from the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova.

She emphasized that Moldova had achieved a significant progress in the European integration process for the last years and Sweden would continue providing it with comprehensive assistance for the further implementation of reforms. According to her, the Swedish aid in the framework of the new Strategy is meant for three sectors: democracy, human rights and equality of genders; sustainable infrastructure; market development.

The Swedish grant assistance is particularly intended for the further harmonization of the Moldovan legislation with European norms. In addition to that, it stipulates investments into the energy infrastructure development, assistance to the sustainable economic development, cut of the business running costs in Moldova, enhancement of the competitiveness and trade.

The assistance to the Moldovan market development and to small companies aims to contribute to the economic growth, to improve citizens’ well-being, to make women’s involvement in the decision-making process and economic life of the country more active. Sweden is one of Moldova’s biggest donors. It used to allocate 11 million euros a year in the framework o the previous development and cooperation strategy.