Whereas the United States has enjoyed stable and positive relations with the Republic of Moldova for over 25 years; Whereas since Moldova's independence in 1991, the United States has provided financial assistance to support the people of Moldova's efforts to build a prosperous European democracy; Whereas the United States and Moldova further strengthened their partnership through the launching of the inaugural Strategic Dialogue on March 3, 2014; Whereas the United States and Moldova continue to broaden and deepen their partnership through advancing shared interests in democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, energy independence, economic development, and security cooperation through the relaunching of the Strategic Dialogue on June 23, 2017; Whereas Moldova has been urged to fight corruption and improve governance since its independence, particularly in the wake of a 2014 scandal involving the loss of over a billion dollars, and Moldova has moved forward with certain reforms seeking to address these issues; Whereas efforts to improve governance and adopt domestic reforms are critical to Moldova’s ability to secure loan packages from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the European Union; Whereas the International Monetary Fund has approved a three-year loan package premised on the continuation of reforms focused on strengthening the economy, bolstering economic development, and promoting trade and investment; Whereas Moldova ratified an Association Agreement containing comprehensive free trade provisions with the European Union in 2014, and the Agreement became fully effective in July 2016; Whereas the United States Government supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Moldova and their expressed desire to deepen their association with the European Union