U.S. Department of State

On Monday, May 21, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Brian A. Nichols and Moldova's General Secretary Victor Bodiu signed an amendment to the Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Moldova.

The amendment, which was signed in a ceremony in Chisinau, provides for $2,384,800 in additional funding as part of ongoing U.S. assistance for rule of law development in Moldova, with particular emphasis on supporting justice sector and law enforcement reforms while combating corruption, trafficking in persons, and organized crime. This assistance is another concrete example of the strong partnership between the United States and the Republic of Moldova.

The additional funding will support multiple projects to assist Moldova's justice sector and law enforcement development, including:

• Law enforcement trainings and equipment donations;
• Forensic capacity development;
• Training for law enforcement, social workers, and medical staff to support victims of domestic violence;
• A series of continuing legal education workshops, in cooperation with the National Institute of Justice, for prosecutors and judges;
• Assistance in reforms aimed at bringing the Moldovan criminal justice system into compliance with international standards;
• Development of the Moldovan Bar Association; and
• A legal education development program.

The original Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement between the United States and Moldova was signed on August 28, 2001, and since that time, the United States has provided approximately $14 million for criminal justice system assistance through this program. Among other things, this assistance has helped train judges, prosecutors, and police; provided vehicles and other equipment to law enforcement agencies; and assisted in renovating and refurbishing the Center for Combating Trafficking in Persons.