Ausführliche Sitzungsberichte

Mittwoch, 23. März 2022 - Brüssel

24. Makrofinanzhilfe für die Republik Moldau (Aussprache)

  Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Markéta Gregorová im Namen des Ausschusses für internationalen Handel über den Vorschlag für einen Beschluss des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über eine Makrofinanzhilfe für die Republik Moldau (COM(2022)0004 – C9-0007/2022 – 2021/0438(COD)) (A9-0043/2022).

Ich weise Sie darauf hin, dass Sie mithilfe Ihres Abstimmungsgeräts spontane Wortmeldungen beantragen und blaue Karten einsetzen können, nachdem Sie Ihre Abstimmungskarte eingeführt haben. Ich bitte Sie daher, stets Ihre Abstimmungskarte mitzubringen. Anleitungen liegen im Plenarsaal aus.

Wenn Sie sich für eine spontane Wortmeldung anmelden möchten, ersuche ich Sie, das bereits ab jetzt zu tun und nicht das Ende der Aussprache abzuwarten.

Ich weise Sie auch darauf hin, dass Wortmeldungen im Plenarsaal weiterhin vom zentralen Rednerpult aus erfolgen. Dies gilt allerdings nicht für spontane Wortmeldungen, blaue Karten und Wortmeldungen zur Geschäftsordnung.

Ich ersuche Sie daher, die Rednerliste im Blick zu behalten und sich kurz vor Beginn Ihrer Redezeit zum Rednerpult zu begeben.

Hier auch nochmals die Bitte, dass Sie, weil wir heute Probleme mit der Mikrofonanlage haben, versuchen, das Mikrofon nicht zu berühren, weil das sonst sehr unangenehm insbesondere für die Dolmetscher ist.

  Markéta Gregorová, rapporteur. – Mr President, in the last few years, the Republic of Moldova has faced an exceptional triple crisis, namely the COVID—19 pandemic, the energy crisis and the prevalent fight against systemic corruption and nepotism that caused significant weaknesses in several sectors, including limited administrative capacity.

While Moldova is still one of the poorest countries in Europe, the economic recovery plan for Moldova can be an essential stimulus for mitigating the effects of the pandemic, the energy crisis and state weaknesses, while also creating the changes needed to make Moldova more efficient and resilient to coming changes, which will be more than plenty. Currently, there is tremendous potential for necessary reforms, which would be a shame to miss. Even though Moldova has already taken some reform measures to combat corruption, organised crime and illicit financial flows, there are still significant opportunities for strengthening, notably in democratic institutions, improving decentralisation and implementation of crucial reforms concerning the institutional set—up of the public administration.

Moreover, the critical state institutions in Moldova also need to be strengthened to make them more resilient against capture, which has been problematic. Developing a rigorous framework to preserve judicial independence, integrity and accountability is critical to addressing corruption and reducing routes for political influence, sowing more trust in the legal system and improving access and delivery to justice.

The proposed EUR 150 million macro-financial assistance (MFA) operation for Moldova is foreseen to be disbursed in three equal tranches to be released between 2022 and 2024, with the first tranche disbursement envisaged before the summer. The financial programming over the 2022—2024 period allows for a grant component of EUR 32 million to be financed from the available budget. The proposal for MFA to Moldova is provided as an integral part of international support for the economic stabilisation of the Republic of Moldova. As usual, the disbursements would be conditional on satisfactory reviews under the IMF programme and progress on implementing the EU—Moldova Association Agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA).

In the light of all the considerations at this plenary, I believe that the European Parliament should agree with the Committee on International Trade (INTA) to approve the Commission’s proposal to provide micro-financial assistance to Moldova. It is essential to consider the whole picture. The Republic of Moldova is following a good reform trajectory, even though some spheres still need to be strengthened, the right conditions are presently fulfilled for our support.

I will address the Commission in my final remarks, but allow me to stress also at this point the need for the Commission to include policy reforms into the memorandum of understanding and to ensure clear conditions. Given the current situation in Europe, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Republic of Moldova for taking care of the refugees from Ukraine fleeing the Russian aggression war, despite the fact that it has its complications for such a small nation.

  Paolo Gentiloni, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, I am pleased to be here tonight for the finalisation of the proposal of macro—financial assistance to Moldova. I would like to thank the Parliament and in particular the members of the International Trade Committee, as well as Ms Gregorová, the rapporteur for this file, for your support and cooperation. We do have a common responsibility towards Moldova in these very difficult times and are ready to do what is needed.

The Commission has proposed, as the rapporteur just said, a new operation of EUR 150 million, consisting of EUR 120 million in medium—term loans and a EUR 30 million grant component. This is to be disbursed in three tranches over two and a half years, with commonly agreed policy conditions attached to each disbursement. Given the urgency, we will do our best to frontload the first tranche.

The request for a new MFA by Moldova was made in November amid a difficult situation, including the post—pandemic recovery and the gas crisis. Now, due to the war in Ukraine and its immediate impact on Moldova’s economy, this assistance has become more urgent. We know that Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, continues to struggle with multiple crises at the same time, including the spillover effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine via the high influx of refugees: 368 000 went to Moldova and around 100 000 are remaining there.

Let me recall that also both the IMF and World Bank are looking into increasing their support to Moldova in light of the effects of the war in Ukraine on the country’s economy. This MFA should also build upon the progress made under previous macro—financial assistance, for example, the COVID—19 MFA. It will also provide for a further push in some key reform areas, such as good governance, the fight against systemic corruption, the rule of law and energy sector reforms.

Moreover, this MFA will also build on the window of opportunity that we currently see in Moldova, whereby all branches of the administration, including the President, the government and the Parliament are aligned on a common and ambitious reform agenda.

The Moldovan authorities have recently requested an increase of the MFA amount. In response to this, the Commission is working on a comprehensive support package where the request for more grant assistance can be accommodated as soon as possible, as Moldova faces direct humanitarian economic consequences of the war. We expect that the first MFA tranche could be disbursed in early summer and such support is warranted in view of the magnitude of the challenges that Moldova is facing.

  Siegfried Mureşan, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, the Republic of Moldova is the European country that has received the biggest number of refugees from Ukraine compared to its population – bigger than any EU Member State. People in Moldova have opened their houses, and authorities in the Republic of Moldova have done all the necessary in order to provide for people coming from Ukraine in need of support. The Republic of Moldova has acted in a European spirit. It has defended European values, and we are all seeing right now how important and how relevant the Republic of Moldova is for the whole European Union. We can only live in safety, security and stability within the borders of the 27 Member States of the Union, if we are surrounded by countries which are safe and stable, and the Republic of Moldova is an immediate neighbour to us.

A safe Moldova and a stable Moldova is in the fundamental interest of the European Union. And I would also argue that the Republic of Moldova is as relevant as Ukraine is for the security of the European Union. And so, dear colleagues, let us adopt this macrofinancial assistance in the plenary tomorrow with a large majority. And Commissioner, as soon as you put forward proposals for additional support, we will also do all we can in Parliament to adopt them quickly to support you, because aside from the support that Moldova is offering now during this crisis, we are witnessing a pro-European government, a pro-European president, ready to embark on closer cooperation with the European Union, ready to reform the country. And if they are ready to get closer to the Union, we should support them. Because imagine if, in addition to the pro-Russian dictator Lukashenko in Belarus, there were a pro-Russian president in Moldova. We should avoid that. We should support Moldova’s European path.

  Marek Belka, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, the discussion on the assistance programme to the Republic of Moldova is very timely. Over 500 000 refugees have entered the country, which does not list as affluent in any development ranking. This did not stop the people of Moldova in providing help and shelter to the victims of war.

In the same vein, the European Union should provide macro-financial assistance to the country. Grants and loans should be disbursed in accordance with the accepted International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. This, of course, is only one of the many assistance programmes the EU will, is and should be providing to safeguard the stability of Moldova and help to tackle the current energy crisis, post-pandemic economic recovery and the negative effects of the unfolding security crisis.

We should not forget our commitments, which stem from the Association Agreement and the DCFTA, and be mindful of Moldova’s efforts to modernise the economy and their European aspirations. Moldova needs our friendship and help more than ever. The EU has to be its true friend in need.

  Dragoş Tudorache, în numele grupului Renew. – Domnule președinte, Republica Moldova și-a asumat fără echivoc drumul european, valorile și obiectivele, și-a asumat ideea de solidaritate și unitate care stă la baza Uniunii noastre. Cetățenii și autoritățile de stat au făcut dovada acestor asumări nu doar declarativ. Ei o fac, în aceste clipe, la modul cel mai concret posibil, fiind solidari cu sutele de mii de refugiați ucraineni, ajutându-i cu puținul pe care ei înșiși îl au.

Este rândul nostru, al instituțiilor europene și guvernelor statelor membre, să ne asumăm un ajutor cât se poate de concret pentru Republica Moldova. Pachetul de asistență pe care îl aprobăm acum este binevenit, dar nu este nici pe departe suficient. Nevoile Moldovei, așa cum au fost ele estimate la conceperea pachetului, sunt astăzi de o cu totul altă magnitudine.

De aceea invit Comisia Europeană, care a dat deja dovadă, în aceste momente de cumpănă, de viziune și curaj, să își asume alături de acest Parlament o nouă abordare a relației cu Republica Moldova, de o altă anvergură politică și cu suport financiar pe măsură.

  Markus Buchheit, im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Herr Vorsitzender, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren, liebe Kollegen! Es besteht doch gar kein Zweifel daran, dass wir denjenigen Staaten, die hier uneigennützig humanitäre Hilfe leisten, auch Unterstützung zukommen lassen müssen.

Gleichwohl darf ich doch auch darauf hinweisen, welche Zeichen wir mit der Makrofinanzhilfe aussenden. Es geht doch hier – und das kam heute auch schon heraus – auch zumindest darum, den Eindruck einer künftigen EU -Mitgliedschaft zu erwecken. Davor möchte ich nur warnen. Ich glaube, wir sollten die Mittel, die wir jetzt an Moldawien schicken – auch vor dem Hintergrund der gegenwärtigen Flüchtlingskrise –, die wir gerne von mir aus noch erhöhen können, zielgerichtet einsetzen und eben nicht im Rahmen einer Makrofinanzhilfe. Denn das trägt letztlich auch die Frucht, dass wir eben falsche Signale aussenden in Richtung Moldau. Und das hat auch dahingehend überhaupt keinen Sinn, da wir sagen: Dieses Land ist nach wie vor auf dem Korruptionsindex weltweit auf Platz 105 und hatte seit 2012 überhaupt keine Verbesserung in diesem Ranking.

Insofern: Lassen Sie uns Hilfen gewähren! Lassen Sie uns auch die humanitäre Situation berücksichtigen, aber doch bitte zielgerichtet und nicht im Rahmen der Makrofinanzhilfe.

  Cristian Terheş, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, one of the countries most affected by the criminal Russian invasion of Ukraine is Moldova. EU has a humanitarian responsibility to help Moldova, which received hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine who are fleeing the Russian bombs in order to save their lives. But EU also has a historical responsibility for Moldova.

It became a modus operandi of Putin to invade, under different pretexts or excuses, regions from southern European countries which were before part of the Soviet Union. We’ve seen this happening in Georgia and Ukraine. There’s modus operandi was initially implemented by the Russian Federation in Moldova, which since the fall of Soviet Union, keeps its 14th Army in Transnistria. Even though Moldova had its territorial integrity violated by the Russian Federation for 30 years, countries had no problems cutting deals with Putin for cheaper gas, oil or coal.

The precedent instrumentalised by Russia in Moldova and left unpunished for so long, just motivated Putin to keep invading countries until he caused the current war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. It is time to restore justice in Europe, and Moldova deserves justice, not just being by being helped financially, but by having the Russian army withdraw.

  Helmut Scholz, im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar! Moldau braucht dringend Unterstützung. Schon vor dem Überfall Putins auf die Ukraine war Moldau in einer schweren wirtschaftlichen Situation. Eine schwere Rezession stellte die neue Regierung vor sehr schwere Aufgaben: sozial nachhaltige Strukturreformen, Greening der Wirtschaft inklusive der Energieerzeugung, Rechtsstaatlichkeit, Corona-Bekämpfung. Zusätzlich suchen nun als Folge des russischen Angriffskrieges Hunderttausende Menschen, vor allem Kinder und Frauen, auf dem Weg durch Moldawien nach Schutz. Wir müssen die Bevölkerung des ärmsten Landes Europas unverzüglich bei ihrer selbstlosen Hilfe für die Flüchtlinge unterstützen. 150 Millionen Euro werden nicht reichen, zumal zu unserer Schande 120 Millionen Euro davon nur als Darlehen gewährt werden.

Ich fordere die Kommission auf, nachzulegen und bei den kommenden EU-Hilfsprogrammen im Zusammenhang mit dem Flüchtlingsnotstand Moldau in transparenter Weise unbedingt zu berücksichtigen. Und: Ist nicht spätestens jetzt von der EU-Kommission, den lettischen, schwedischen, deutschen und anderen Regierungen jenen Banken Druck zu machen, bei denen die Milliarde aus dem Jahrhundertraub einer Mafia-Clique in Politik und Wirtschaft verschwunden sind. Die Menschen in Moldau brauchen jetzt ihr Vermögen zurück.

  Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI). – Mr President, Commissioner, I support the Republic of Moldova to benefit from this macro-financial assistance operation. Moldova, the most fragile neighbour of Ukraine, apart from the humanitarian emergency, is also noting a massive economic hit from the loss of its imports from Ukraine, a collapse in investor confidence and cross-border activity. This MFA operation would help Moldova to cover part of its external financial needs and contribute to reducing fiscal vulnerabilities.

In these times of multiple crises, the European Union plays a key role in ensuring economic resilience within the EU as well. The European Commission should therefore refrain from subordinating financial stability to political interests. To this end, Hungary asked for immediate and effective access to EU funds allocated to it. Amid war and consequently growing economic insecurity, it would be of utmost importance for the Commission to act on a professional basis.

  Andrzej Halicki (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! 150 mln euro, w tym 30 mln dotacji, to ważna suma, ale to kropla w morzu potrzeb. I chcę powiedzieć, że w obliczu tego, co podkreślił Siegfried Mureşan, tej ogromnej otwartości społeczeństwa mołdawskiego, które przyjęło rzeczywiście najwięcej uchodźców per capita, więcej nawet niż polskie społeczeństwo, chociaż my przyjęliśmy ich aż 2,5 miliona, to ta pomoc jest za mała. Musimy zwiększyć i nakłady, i naszą aktywność.

Europejskie oczekiwania Mołdawii wymagają naszej stałej pracy, stałej grupy wsparcia w Komisji Europejskiej, obecności na miejscu – myślę o misji Parlamentu Europejskiego. To są nasze zadania, które jesteśmy zobowiązani uczynić wobec tego testu, który społeczeństwo mołdawskie dzisiaj zdało. Tak, społeczeństwo Mołdawii już jest w Europie, już jest razem z nami i udziela tej pierwszej pomocy, pomimo że jest biedne i nie ma ku temu wystarczających środków. I naszym zadaniem jest mu pomóc.

  Juozas Olekas (S&D). – Mr President, I welcome the quick adoption of macrofinancial assistance to the Republic of Moldova. It’s a strong sign of European solidarity. However, as you said Commissioner, this package was proposed even before the Russian war against Ukraine. Therefore, the need for help is now higher and greater than it was before. Europe has to rise up to the challenge, because Moldova is fighting on two fronts at least. The first front is energy. This fight started when Russia drastically increased its energy price in an attempt to punish Moldova for its pro-European choice. The second front is refugees. Moldova has received the biggest per capita flow of Ukrainian war refugees. Commissioner, the EU and its partners have to help Moldova to deal with this crisis. I strongly believe that this crisis will only make Moldova stronger and will prove that the pro-European choice is the right choice for the country.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Ja byłem członkiem delegacji Unia-Mołdawa i wiele razy byłem w tym kraju, który w wymiarze kulturowym, cywilizacyjnym, nie tylko geograficznym, jest absolutnie częścią Europy. Mówili moi koledzy o tym, jak społeczeństwo mołdawskie otworzyło serca i domy dla uchodźców, ale myślę, że także wysiłki pani prezydent Mołdawii, pani premier Mołdawii, tych wszystkich, którzy myślą w kategoriach europejskich – wspólnego europejskiego domu, należy docenić. Należy wspierać Mołdawię, ale jednak wbrew temu co słyszymy na tej sali, jednak wspierać po to, aby w przyszłości otworzyć szeroko drzwi dla tego kraju, jeśli chodzi o członkostwo Unii Europejskiej – to im się po prostu należy. Europa musi być z Mołdawią, Mołdawia z Europą.

  Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, στηρίζουμε σήμερα, και ορθώς, την πρόταση της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής για την παροχή περισσότερης χρηματοδότησης στη Μολδαβία για την αντιμετώπιση των οικονομικών επιπτώσεων του πολέμου στην Ουκρανία. Όμως ο πόλεμος του Πούτιν δεν έχει επιπτώσεις μόνο για την Ουκρανία και τη Μολδαβία, αλλά για όλες τις χώρες της Ευρώπης και όχι μόνο. Δυστυχώς κάθε μέρα που συνεχίζονται οι εχθροπραξίες χύνεται περισσότερο αίμα, προκαλείται περισσότερος ανθρώπινος πόνος, έχουμε περισσότερους πρόσφυγες και περισσότερες συνέπειες που αφορούν στην οικονομία, στην ενέργεια, στην ασφάλεια τροφίμων και σε πολλούς άλλους τομείς, συνέπειες που θα τις υποστούμε όλοι και όλες.

Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση οφείλει και πρέπει να κάνει περισσότερα για να αντιμετωπίσει τις συνέπειες αυτές. Πρέπει να επιδείξει περισσότερη ενότητα, περισσότερη αλληλεγγύη, αλλά και να διαθέσει περισσότερη χρηματοδότηση. Κυρίες και κύριοι συνάδελφοι, ο πόλεμος στην Ουκρανία προκάλεσε μεγάλα προβλήματα όλων των ειδών. Τα μεγάλα προβλήματα απαιτούν μεγάλες αποφάσεις και τα μεγάλα οικονομικά προβλήματα απαιτούν μεγάλες οικονομικές παρεμβάσεις.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

  Maria Grapini (S&D). – Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, în primul rând aș vrea să mulțumesc cetățenilor din Republica Moldova pentru dovada de solidaritate pe care au dat-o, așa cum au dat-o și cetățenii din țara mea, din România, din Polonia, din Ungaria.

Este clar că asistența macrofinanciară trebuie făcută dar, domnule comisar, a rezultat din dezbaterile de astăzi că aceste sume erau stabilite înainte de a fi războiul și evident că acum Republica Moldova are nevoie de un ajutor mai mare și mai consistent, mai ales în partea de granturi, pentru că da, creditele vor trebui să fie date înapoi.

De aceea, v-aș adresat două rugăminți. În primul rând, să discutați în Comisie posibilitatea de creștere a granturilor și, în al doilea rând, să devansați ca prima tranșă să meargă mai repede, poate în luna mai, pentru că acum au nevoie de ajutor cetățenii care și-au deschis casele, până la urmă, și știm bine că Republica Moldova avea oricum o problemă din punct de vedere al locurilor de muncă, din punct de vedere al veniturilor pe cap de locuitor. Așadar apelul meu este să ajutăm Republica Moldova, dar să o ajutăm cu cât trebuie și când trebuie.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

  Paolo Gentiloni, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you to all the honourable Members for intervening and supporting the macro-financial assistance (MFA) proposal and also the idea of further strengthening our package of support in the near future.

I think that this support is very important for several reasons. Firstly, the humanitarian effort that Moldova is having in these weeks. Secondly, geopolitical reasons; we all know what kind of pressure is on this country because of its position. And thirdly, because – and I had the opportunity to meet members of the government – I think it’s the right time also to help because there is a strong commitment for reform, for anti-corruption and for defending our common European values. And this is the reason why I think your support for the MFA is very important and our commitment to go beyond in the near future is also so important.

Puhetta johti HEIDI HAUTALA
varapuhemies

  Markéta Gregorová, rapporteur. – Madam President, I tried to catch the eye, but I was unsuccessful so I will waste a little bit of my precious seconds to just remind a few of my colleagues that the MFA so very important for Moldova is not related to the refugee crisis and to the war. Thank you.

And as for the remarks I promised on the Commission and our role, first, I still stress the need for the Commission to include policy reforms into the memorandum, such as addressing asset recovery linked to 2014 bank fraud, continued public-finance management reforms, the justice sector reform, enhancing transparency, accountability, etc. And I emphasised that each instalment disbursement should be linked to clear conditions.

Secondly, I want to note that it is shameful that the European Parliament does not enjoy an adequate role in the MFA process, despite being a co-legislator. MFA is assent with urgency and as a consequence the EP cannot have proper scrutiny. Furthermore, the political conditionalities are agreed only between the Commission and the recipient country in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, where the Parliament has no say. That is why I need to stress to the Commission that the European Parliament must get duly informed throughout the disbursement of the MFA programme. You should monitor and rigorously control the fulfilment of these conditions and inform us throughout the whole MFA process.

Thirdly, the MFA combination of loans and grants, where loans usually have the most significant share, is not that favourable. Currently, Moldova is seeing the impact of war, raised energy prices and some additional costs. Thus I welcome the Commission’s efforts to find also some other ways to support Moldova in stabilising the economy and facing the new unprecedented challenges. The macro-financial assistance is not already sufficient to cover the financial gaps, so this would be very important.

  Puhemies. – Keskustelu on päättynyt.

Äänestys toimitetaan torstaina 24.3.2022.