U.S. Department of State

Foreign Operations Appropriated Assistance*
Fiscal Year (FY) 2007: $17.77 Million (M) ($16M FSA, $1.77M Other)
Estimate FY 2008: $15.23M ($14.18M FSA, $1.04M Other)

Assistance Goals: The United States Government (USG) strives to help Moldova become fully democratic and prosperous, secure within its recognized borders and free to become a full partner in the Euro-Atlantic community. USG assistance supports Moldova’s transition to a modern, more transparent and participatory state, underpinned by the rule of law and a functioning market economy.

Areas of Focus (Foreign Operations Appropriated Assistance):

Peace and Security (PS): FY 2007: $3.05M; Est. FY 2008: $2.35M

• Strengthen border security and combat trafficking in persons (TIP), trade in illicit goods, financial crimes and weapons proliferation;
• Enhance the military’s capacity to conduct peace and stability operations.

Governing Justly and Democratically (GJD): FY 2007: $8.31M; Est. FY 2008: $7.80M

• Develop democratic institutions and ensure free and fair elections;
• Strengthen civil society and support independent media to monitor government reforms and curb corruption;
• Improve citizens’ access to justice by increasing public education, competent legal services, judicial effectiveness and assist Moldova’s legal system to operate transparently, efficiently and independently;
• Develop more effective local political leadership and increase citizen participation in decision-making.

Investing in People (IIP): FY 2007: $0.40M; Est. FY 2008: 0

• Reduce the public health risk of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C.

Economic Growth (EG): FY 2007: $4.99M; Est. FY 2008: $4.78M

• Develop business and industry clusters, financial and investment intermediation and enhance Moldova’s business regulatory framework;
• Build on momentum toward acceptance of European Union (EU) norms;
• Build partnerships by training Moldovan business leaders in U.S. business practices in connection with American businesses and organizations.

Humanitarian Assistance (HA): FY 2007: $0.35M; Est. FY 2008: $0.30M

• Support vulnerable populations with donated commodities such as food, clothing and medical supplies ($7M worth in FY 2007) via airlifts and ground transport.

Assistance to Conflict Areas:

• Programs to promote tolerance and dialogue with people living in the Transnistria region of Moldova.

Recent Successes:

• The Government of Moldova (GOM) has remained committed to the Moldova-EU Action Plan it signed in 2005—a "road map" of reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, increase transparency and improve the investment climate;
• The USG assisted the GOM to establish a witness protection unit at the Center for Combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP), which aids in prosecuting TIP cases;
• Strengthened a new law which clarifies that domestic violence is a criminal offense; 35 judges and prosecutors were trained regarding the new law and a legal representation program was established for victims;
• Technical assistance and training in the apparel sector led to better management of workflow and performance targets, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity;
• With USG assistance, the Ministry of Health de-centralized health care with the creation of 40 new independent primary care centers.

*Division J of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act: Department of State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008, including: FSA, Child Survival and Health (CSH), Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, De-mining and Related programs, IMET and FMF.

**Estimate from FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification; Website: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/101440.pdf.