The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published the audit report on the financing of Republic of Moldova during 2007-2015. At intervals of three pages the words corruption and inefficiency appear at least once, says Digi24.

The words corruption or inefficiency appear at least once at intervals of three pages in the report of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) regarding the audit on the financing of Republic of Moldova during 2007-2015. 

Published on Thursday, the special report of ECA points out that "they found only limited evidence showing the EU aid had contributed effectively" regarding EU financial support to Moldova aimed at strengthening the country’s public administration. The poorest country in Europe, as named Moldova by ECA, received - since 2007 - financial aid amounting to €782 million which represents nearly €37 per inhabitant. This is "the highest amount among the EU’s eastern neighbours", say the authors of the special report.

"The EU faces significant challenges in implementing assistance for Moldova", said Hans Gustaf Wessberg, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the report.

The report makes numerous references to corruption. ECA reminds the disappearance of a billion euros from local banks and worsening of Moldova's position in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International.

To take a position after ECA's conlcusions, the European Commission points out that corruption hinders, generally, the achievement of targeted effects of the aid, while corruption is not limited to the general budget support programs.

"It is clear, however, that progress achieved in budget support programmes concerning financial controls  and public procurement can make a real contribution to reducing corruption", the European Commission said in reply. 

The full report can be found below. We will provide expert opinions and a detailed analysis of the ECA report.