The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:
From April 27 through 30, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman traveled to Moldova to build on the U.S.-Moldova partnership and reaffirm USAID’s strong support for Moldova’s EU integration efforts.
Deputy Administrator Coleman began her trip by meeting with Speaker of the Parliament Igor Grosu to discuss Moldova’s reform agenda and EU accession ambitions. The Deputy Administrator then toured Mediacor, a USAID-supported innovation center offering educational programs in multimedia, game design, animation, and other emerging industries, and saw first-hand how USAID is investing in Moldova’s future. Following a meeting with Minister of Education Dan Perciun and a roundtable discussion with university students, the Deputy Administrator provided the keynote address to students attending the closing ceremony of Moldova Education Week, where she underlined the value of education, including advanced studies and educational careers, to Moldova's future leaders.
During her visit, Deputy Administrator Coleman visited USAID-supported guesthouses and hiked through Orhei Vechi, a Moldovan historical and archaeological complex and tourism destination, to see how the tourism industry benefits rural economies and contributes to long-term economic resilience. Deputy Administrator Coleman also visited Casa Luca winery to discuss how USAID support has assisted in elevating Moldovan wine exports internationally, growing the Moldovan economy.
The Deputy Administrator met with Prime Minister Dorin Recean to discuss USAID’s support to Moldova’s cybersecurity and energy infrastructure, and the role that the U.S. government can play in enabling additional private sector investment. Following their meeting, Deputy Administrator Coleman and Prime Minister Recean presented USAID-funded IT and cybersecurity equipment valued at $600,000 to the new CyberCor National Cybersecurity Institute, which will officially launch in the summer of 2024. The Deputy Administrator also met with Moldovan private sector leaders to discuss boosting economic growth and improving Moldova’s investment environment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Deputy Administrator Coleman concluded her trip by joining Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov in signing a Memorandum of Understanding between USAID and the Government of Moldova concerning the construction of a high-voltage energy transmission line. As part of USAID’s historic $220 million investment in Moldova’s energy security and independence, the agreement outlines terms for the creation of a 400KW overhead power line connecting Moldova to Romania’s electrical grid, which will boost Moldova’s energy diversification and increase connectivity with the European energy market.
The Deputy Administrator's trip to Moldova advanced the goals of USAID’s Democracy Delivers Initiative, which works to surge support across sectors to countries experiencing promising democratic openings, in order to bolster local efforts to deliver on citizen priorities and strengthen democratic governance.
