![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://moldovalive.md/moldova-gains-access-to-eu-gas-procurement-platform-maia-sandu-claims/&media=https://moldovalive.md/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4-1-scaled-1.jpg&description=President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was in Chisinau on October 12. The head of state declared that this visit signifies a strong sign of support for the Republic of Moldova's efforts to join the European Union. "I have reaffirmed to the President of the European Commission that our country is doing everything in its power to fulfill all commitments to start accession negotiations as soon as possible," President Maia Sandu stated.){kind=link}
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was in Chisinau on October 12. The head of state declared that this visit signifies a strong sign of support for the Republic of Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union.
“I have reaffirmed to the President of the European Commission that our country is doing everything in its power to fulfill all commitments to start accession negotiations as soon as possible,” President Maia Sandu stated.
The President also mentioned that EU support means concrete benefits. Starting from January 1, Moldovan citizens will be able to make cheaper phone calls when traveling to EU countries. Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova already has access to the EU’s joint platform for gas procurement, allowing access to new sources of gas at competitive prices.
“In the last two winters, EU aid has enabled us to provide bill compensation to citizens with modest incomes for their energy bills. This assistance will continue,” said the head of state.
Today, an amendment to the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission was signed at the Presidential Palace by Gert Jan Koopman, the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission, and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Dumitru Alaiba. Through this amendment, €105 million from the €250 million assistance package announced last year will be disbursed by the end of this year. The funds are intended for the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund, which provides bill compensation during the cold season.
“The European Union’s support in these challenging years has demonstrated – and continues to demonstrate – that solidarity is the foundation on which the EU was built and operates. We are eager to become part of this community where countries stand in solidarity with each other and contribute to promoting the values we share,” concluded President Maia Sandu.