The Moldovan government and the development partners have signed the 2011-2013 assistance programme for Moldova worth 1.936 billion euros (2.6 billion dollars). Prime Minister Vlad Filat and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle signed the document in Brussels today.

The programme for Moldova was signed at a meeting of the Consultative Group - Partnership for Moldova Forum, co-chaired and hosted by the European Commission and the World Bank. Thirty two bilateral institutions and ten multilateral development organizations participated in the event.

The discussions were focused on four general sectors: 1) strategic priorities and the agenda of the government's political reform; 2) macroeconomic situation and the government's programme to promote economic, structural and social reforms; 3) needs of foreign assistance and strategies to enhance the efficiency of this assistance; 4) answer of the donor community.

The government's representatives informed the international community about the progress in the promotion of political, economic and social reforms. The government reaffirmed its position that the European integration is Moldova's top priority. The Moldovan delegation also said that the most efficient way to upgrade Moldova's political, economic and social sectors is to implement reforms which would lead the country on the European integration path.

In a speech given at the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the discussions were constructive and generated ideas for future projects.

"I am sure that all my colleagues leave Brussels being highly optimistic about the future of Moldova. We return home with more responsibility, we want to prove by deeds that we have an efficient and transparent government, oriented towards people's needs," the prime minister said.

Vlad Filat said that the today's debates showed once again how much we can rely on partners' support in the demarche to rethink Moldova. "And I am talking not only about financial support, but also about your advice for us. And I would like to stress the excellent communication I have with the ambassadors of your countries in Chisinau and international organizations carrying out their activities in Moldova," the prime minister said.

Vlad Filat showed confidence that, in a short time, the development partners will be proud of having got closer to Moldova in the process of its reformation and modernization. He said that the Moldovan citizens will be proud of the fact that their country is no longer isolated on the international stage.

"Once again, I want to thank everybody, and especially the World Bank and the European Commission, for the organization of this event. Also, I want to express gratitude to our development partners," the prime minister said at the end of his speech.

The World Bank's regional director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, Martin Raiser, said that Moldova's leadership is aware that long-lasting actions will be necessary to ensure prosperity.

"But the authorities have already showed by decisive actions that they firmly committed to go the way of liberalizing the economy, combating corruption, reforming the judicial sector and ensuring good government in the public sector. This ambitious vision deserves international support," Martin Raiser said.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle said that the EU fully supports the government's programme Rethink Moldova.

"Moldova is more than a neighbour to the European Union. Moldova is a close partner with which we cooperate, so that this region from the EU neighbourhood be more stable and prosperous. Stability at the EU's borders would bring stability to the EU as well," the commissioner said.

The three officials also held a news conference, during which they showed satisfaction with the outcomes of the today's meeting.