site.btaRomania and Moldova to Be Connected by Motorway by 2030 under EU Defence Programme

Romania and neighbouring Moldova will be connected by a motorway by 2030 - a deadline coinciding with the completion of the Security Actions for Europe (SAFE) programme, as stated by the Romanian government press service on Friday. 

The caretaker Prime Minister of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, participated in the signing of two bilateral documents between Romania and Moldova for the construction of section 4 of the A8 motorway - a route connecting the two countries - an investment financed under the SAFE programme. The project's value is RON 3.57 billion (EUR 681,512,259) and the implementation period is 46 months.

"This is an extremely important moment for transport connectivity between the two banks of the Prut River," said Bolojan.

For his part, Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova, thanked the Romanian government for its support and partnership.

"Romania and the Republic of Moldova are building relations based on respect and national interest. Through this investment, among other initiatives, the governments of both countries demonstrate their ability to implement large-scale projects for the benefit of their citizens," said Bolea.

"The A8 motorway is a strategic project. After its completion in 2030, it will be possible to travel by motorway from Bucharest all the way to Moldova - something that seemed unlikely just a few years ago," noted Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Radu Miruta.

An agreement was also signed during the event on aspects related to the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of transport infrastructure of strategic interest to both countries, including the cross-border road bridge over the Prut River, connecting the settlements of Ungheni (Romania) and Ungheni (Republic of Moldova). 

According to the European Commission's EU Defence Industry Department, SAFE is the EU’s new financial instrument designed to provide financial support to Member States to speed up defence readiness by allowing urgent and major investments in support of the European defence industry, with a focus on closing critical capability gaps. The programme will provide up to EUR 150 billion in competitively priced, long-maturity loans to Member States requesting financial assistance for investments in defence capabilities. These loans will finance urgent and large-scale procurement efforts, ensuring that Europe’s defence industry can deliver the necessary equipment when it is needed most.