OREANDA-NEWS. Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Moldova, Karen Hilliard signed today two agreements assistance between the Moldovan Government and the US Government. The event was attended by US Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit.

The documents state that the US Government, by means of USAID Agency Moldova, will offer Moldova assistance worth $ 27 million for activities that will help Moldova in strengthening an effective and responsible good governance and of trade and investment development.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip thanked the US for its constant support of Moldova and assured that assistance would be used effectively and transparently. "I am sure that the US Government will continue to be an important partner for us. I understand this more after important meetings that we had during my recent visit to New York with Deputy US Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland, the Deputy-Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the State Department, Richard Stengel and other US officials," said Pavel Filip.

At his part, the US Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit, reaffirmed his country's support for democratic transformation in Moldova. "We have the same goal: economic growth, democracy and welfare. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and will continue to help Moldova," said James D. Pettit.

Also, Karen Hilliard expressed the belief that the US Agency for International Development and the Government will have a fruitful cooperation in the next four years. "We will continue to support Moldova to implement EU-oriented reforms and achieving democratic transformation," said the USAID Director.

Targeted projects will focus on increasing citizens’ employment in decision-making, increase transparency and accountability of the judiciary, improving public administration and fighting corruption at the local level. It will also be paid more attention to improving competitiveness, business climate, access to finance and modernize the agricultural sector.

Since 1994, Moldova has received assistance from USAID totaling over US $ 411 million.