Moldovan president, French authorities discuss European future, economy's development, strengthening state's security in Paris

Chisinau, 8 March /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu has discussed Moldova’s future in EU, the economic cooperation and concrete initiatives for strengthening the country’s security, during her working visit to France. Following the discussion with President Emmanuel Macron, the head of state said: ‘’ France and President Macron personally are among the closest supporters of Moldova.’’ The two heads of state made press statements and signed a joint declaration. 

The Moldovan president also had discussions with President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet and with the friendship group of the French parliament. At the meeting, the Moldovan head of state welcomed the positive trajectory of the parliamentary cooperation between the two states.

During the visit to Paris, the sides signed three documents: the agreement on cooperation in the defence sector, which updates the document signed in 1998; the roadmap on economic cooperation for the next six years, in which joint actions are established, which will encourage the increase of investments and the trade between the two countries; an agreement through which the French Development Agency (AFD) will provide Moldova with financing worth 40 million euros and a grant of 1.2 million euros for strengthening the forest sector.      

„The funds allocated by the French partners will help us plant woods, including buy equipment needed and carry out the reform of the forestry fund according to the European standards,’’ President Maia Sandu said following a discussion with AFD Director General Rémy Rioux.   

The visit included also a discussion with Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann. At the meeting, the sides launched an action plan between Moldova and OECD for the period 2024-2027. The plan includes the taking over of legal instruments, analytical support and assessments of the policies in such sectors as the business environment, management of state enterprises, agriculture, environment, energy, taxes and taxation policy, anticorruption, justice reform, public administration, education, management of the development assistance.