The Head of Department for UN Policy, Conflict and Humanitarian affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Carl Skau, visited Chisinau on 7-8 September to learn more about the reception of refugees from Ukraine in Moldova.
- I am impressed by the efforts made by the Republic of Moldova and the Moldovans to receive those fleeing from the Russian aggression against Ukraine, said Skau. What is said about Moldova is true: it is a country with a big heart.
During his visit, Skau met, among others, with Minister for Foreign Affairs Nicu Popescu, Minister for Internal Affairs Ana Revenco and representatives from UN agencies, civil society, local authorities, and government agencies.
- It is crucial to ensure that interventions to support refugees are well coordinated so that we create synergies between the different initiatives and use our resources as efficiently as possible. In doing so, we must also bear in mind the challenges faced by Moldova at large, which include high inflation with rising prices for food, gas and energy, Skau continued.
Sweden is a long-standing partner to Moldova and has shown its support both bilaterally and through the EU. It is also one of the largest core-support donors to the UN system. Sweden has an assistance estimated at EUR 6 million through humanitarian aid and EUR 14.3 million for 2022 as part of the Strategy for Sweden’s Reform Cooperation with Eastern Europe 2021-2027. Key areas within the Swedish strategy are promotion of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and gender equality, peaceful and inclusive societies, environmentally and climate-resilient sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources and inclusive economic development.
