OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2010. Prime Minister Vlad Filat had a meeting with Constantin Synadino, the head of the Division for Energy, Environment and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises for Russia, Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia within the European Investment Bank's (EIB) department for Europe's neighbour and partner countries, the government's communications and press relations department has said.

The sides discussed prospects for the diversification of EIB investments in Moldova, especially the possibility of launching new projects in the agriculture and food sector.

Vlad Filat pointed out the importance of this field for the national economy, noting that the situation in the wine-growing and wine-making sector was a difficult one.

"Given the fact that over 300,000 people are involved in the harvesting and processing of grapes, the government is busy solving problems in this sector," Filat said. He added that related issues were always on the agenda of discussions with foreign partners.

Filat voiced hope that Moldova would further be backed by its partners, in order to identify solutions to the reanimation of this important sector of the national economy.

Speaking about the need to diversify sales markets and to create conditions to promote Moldovan wines on the European markets, the premier said that specific measures were being taken to ensure high quality of Moldovan wines, so that they respond to the new markets.

"In this respect, we need assistance for examination and resources. This means not grants, but investment projects with reasonable costs, in order to create conditions for local producers to overcome this difficult period," added Filat.

In the context, the prime-minister thanked the EIB representative for accepting the invitation to address the consolidation of bilateral collaboration.

For his part, Constantin Synadino backed the initiative to extend the EIB's activity in Moldova, noting that during his two-day visit to Chisinau he would hold negotiations on the matter with officials of the involved ministries.

Constantin Synadino voiced confidence that European bodies would further back Moldova, pointing out the opportunity to elaborate a national comprehensive investment programme in the agriculture and food sector, which might be considered by the EIB.

"The European Investment Bank may examine proposals of new investment projects in Moldova for supporting the wine-growing and wine-making sector, including increasing wine output," Synadino said.

The official noted that the EIB's activity was focused on crediting small and medium-sized enterprises, environment protection, infrastructure and energy.