Message from State Secretary Corneliu CIRIMPEI at the launch event of the Interreg CAPDR🇷🇴 – ADR Chișinău🇲🇩 project at the Palace of the Republic in Chișinău | 11.09.2025
Mesaje publice
Thursday, September 11, 2025 – At the Palace of the Republic in Chișinău, the launch conference of the project “Transfer of Best Practices and Strengthening Administrative Capacity in Regional Development Policy between Romania and the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program, took place.
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The event, organized in partnership between the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR) and the Chișinău Municipal Regional Development Agency (ADR Chișinău), brought together representatives of public administration, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.
Speaker – Corneliu CIRIMPEI – State Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, R. Moldova
Strategic Priorities: Continuity and European Integration
Corneliu Cirimpei, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, emphasized the importance of continuity in institutional activity, regardless of the political context.
“Despite the argument frequently invoked by many that there are elections and no time for such events, we must demonstrate that, regardless of circumstances, the country moves forward. And it moves in the right direction, because there is no… let me not be accused of politics.”
He stated that European values represent the only viable direction for the development of the Republic of Moldova.
“There are no other solutions than to move toward European values. There are no other possibilities for the development of the Republic of Moldova except European integration.”
In this context, the Government of the Republic of Moldova is preparing to finalize, in Brussels, the presentation of Chapter 22, which concerns cooperation between regions.
“Chapter 22 offers the opportunity to create a space where we will adopt Moldovan legislation in line with European standards. And we all need to pay attention to what will happen in the next month regarding these negotiations with the European Union.”
Cross-Border Connectivity and Infrastructure
The State Secretary also addressed the need to improve infrastructure to strengthen cross-border connections.
“In the 19th century, when the railway from Chișinău to Iași was built, this distance was covered in two hours. Today, in the 21st century, it takes four hours by train to travel from Chișinău to Iași, and I consider this abnormal.”
Corneliu Cirimpei highlighted government infrastructure projects aimed at creating direct connections across the Prut River, including the construction of the Galați–Cahul railway line.
“This government has tried, through interventions in infrastructure, to build bridges over the Prut together with our Romanian brothers, to construct arteries, to practically demonstrate our desire for connection between the banks of the Prut, which have separated us since the 19th century.”
Strengthening Administrative Capacity and Implementing the Cross-Border Project
The official highlighted the crucial role of ADR Chișinău, the youngest regional development agency in the Republic of Moldova.
“This project is very welcome because the need to enhance the agency’s capacities is urgent. I want to thank our colleagues in Romania who provided this opportunity so that, during the project implementation, ADR staff can access additional funds beyond those provided by the Government for infrastructure – sewage systems, drinking water, roads, as well as projects in education, tourism, and culture. All these elements are very important for our European integration.”
The project aims to strengthen partnerships between responsible structures in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, create a shared learning framework, adapt territorial governance mechanisms, and enhance the institutional capacity of actors involved in the development and implementation of regional development policies.
A Strategic Step in Cross-Border Cooperation
The event at the Palace of the Republic highlights the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova and the role of cross-border projects in modernizing regional development policies. The initiative promotes the exchange of best practices, strengthening institutional capacity, and creating common governance mechanisms, contributing to the sustainable development of the regions involved.
At the same time, the project supports European integration by aligning local norms and standards with European ones and by consolidating long-term partnerships between authorities and agencies from both countries.
