Donors move to support change in Moldova

FT.com / Europe - Donors move to support change in Moldova

By Chris Bryant in Chisinau
Published: May 14 2010 02:41 | Last updated: May 14 2010 02:41

One year after protesters ransacked Moldova’s parliament, bringing fresh elections that unseated its communist government, Europe’s poorest country is in the midst of profound, yet painful, change.
At a space-age newsroom in the leafy capital Chisinau, journalists huddle beneath neon-purple and blue lights preparing reports for one of the country’s new news channels.

Publika TV and its rival Jurnal TV have transformed Moldova’s staid and tightly controlled news media since a new four-party western-leaning coalition called the Alliance for European Integration came to power last September.
When Vlad Filat, prime minister, appeared on Publika last month a viewer asked him how much his suit cost and who had paid for it – once an unthinkable impertinence.
Having committed itself to economic, judicial and media reforms, Moldova’s new government has won strong backing from international donors. In Brussels in March, the European Union, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and individual countries pledged $2.6bn (£1.8bn, €2bn) in grants and loans.

Meanwhile, talks on liberalising visa arrangements and trade are set to move Moldova closer to its goal of one day joining the EU.
“Moldova got a very clear message in Brussels: you are on the right track and we are here to support you,” Melanie Marlett, World Bank country manager for Moldova, said.