asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are planning to offer the Government of the Republic of Moldova additional support to develop new industries and commercial sectors during the next five years; and, if so, what support they are considering.[HL7576]

We continue to encourage Moldova to implement the reforms set out in the jointly agreed European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, which was launched in February 2005. In this context, the Government strongly support efforts to promote economic and political reforms aimed at bringing Moldova closer to EU standards.

The Government have contributed £5.5 million, as part of a multi-donor fund, towards the early transition countries initiative managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in support of the bank's investment and business advisory operations in the seven low-income countries of central Asia, south Caucasus and Moldova.

The Department for International Development's overall aid framework for Moldova is £2.7 million for 2006-07. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds small grassroots-level projects under the Global Opportunities Fund (£85,000 for 2006-07). The EU has also provided assistance to Moldova, totalling over €253 million since 1991, including technical assistance under the technical aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States programme.