Romania has completed a deal to buy Moldova's sole seaport, Giurgiuleşti. Romania expects “significant investments” after the deal is concluded.
This was announced by Romanian Transport Minister Ciprian Serban to News.ro.
The deal was finalized on April 21. Ciprian Șerban noted that the acquisition of the port of Giurgiulești is necessary in the context of competition between the port of Constanta and other Black Sea and European ports.
He noted that the expansion of the hinterland of Constanta and its transformation into the market leader of Central and Southeastern Europe, as well as the establishment of new transport routes, make the port of Giurgiuleşti strategically important.
“Important long-term investments are envisaged to increase the port's capacity and its strategic importance in the region. This could include, for example, supporting external infrastructure projects, such as a motorway to Giurgiuleşti or a partnership with the port of Galati across the Danube, in Romania. Such measures would more closely integrate the port of Giurgiuleşti into the regional transport network, strengthening its role as Moldova's gateway to the EU,” the Minister of Transport said.
Cipriani Serban also stated that the signed agreement will contribute to the strengthening of economic and trade relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. It will ensure the stability of supply chains for various goods in Moldova and will be an important step for the further development of the strategic partnership between the two states.
The port of Giurgiuleşti is located 133 km from the Black Sea on the left bank of the Danube River. The port has infrastructure for the entry of seagoing ships. Opened in 2006. Moldova was able to gain access to the sea due to the fact that Ukraine transferred 430 meters of the coast of the Danube and Prut rivers to Moldova.