Article 1
Open ↗Decision (EU) 2022/563 is amended as follows: (1) in Article 1, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘1. The Union shall make macro-financial assistance of a maximum amount of EUR 295 000 000 available to Moldova (the “Union’s macro-financial assistance”), with a view to supporting Moldova’s economic stabilisation and substantive reform agenda. Of that maximum amount, up to EUR 220 000 000 shall be provided in the form of loans and up to EUR 75 000 000 in the form of grants. The release of the Union’s macro-financial assistance is subject to the adoption of the Union budget for the relevant year by the European Parliament and the Council. The assistance shall contribute to covering Moldova’s balance-of-payments needs as identified in the IMF programme.’ ; (2) Article 4 is amended as follows: (a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘1. Subject to the conditions referred to in paragraph 3, the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be made available by the Commission in five instalments, each of which shall consist of a loan and a grant element. The size of each instalment shall be laid down in the MOU which shall be amended for that purpose.’ ; (b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: ‘4. The release of the second instalment shall, in principle, take place at the earliest three months after the release of the first instalment. The release of the third instalment shall, in principle, take place at the earliest three months after the release of the second instalment. The release of the fourth instalment shall, in principle, take place at the earliest three months after the release of the third instalment. The release of the fifth instalment shall, in principle, take place at the earliest three months after the release of the fourth instalment.’ .