Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, at the meeting with mayors from the Republic of Moldova: “The development of Moldova begins in communities – Local priorities in the 1.9 billion euro Growth Plan”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
The Delegation of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development from Romania held a meeting with representatives of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM), during which the prospects for cooperation in the context of the European integration of the Republic of Moldova were discussed
Discussions between the CAPDR delegation led by Ion Ștefanovici and the CALM representatives took place in the context of the European Commission’s launch of the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, a strategic instrument aimed at supporting the country’s economic and administrative rapprochement with the European Union.
In this regard, President Ion Ștefanovici emphasized the importance for the Republic of Moldova to clearly define its national and local priorities so that it can efficiently capitalize on the opportunities offered by this plan, including access to funds and expertise for regional development, infrastructure, and the modernization of public administration. According to him, the active involvement of local authorities in the planning process and absorption of European support is essential to transform strategic objectives into concrete results.
The discussions also focused on the participation of local elected officials from Moldova in the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, which will take place in July in Vatra Dornei, with the aim of preparing a common platform for action to promote regional development and attract investments.
At a key moment for the future of the Republic of Moldova, Ion Ștefanovici, President of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development from Romania, draws attention to the urgent need for a clear definition of national and local priorities. According to him, Moldova is facing a strategic choice that must be made with wisdom and discernment.
European Funds and the Economic Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova
A central point of the discussion was the economic growth plan intended for the Republic of Moldova by the European Union, with a total value of 1.9 billion euros, as well as the priority directions for the efficient use of this financial support. Ion Ștefanovici stressed that local authorities in Moldova have every reason to demand that a significant part of the European aid be directed toward local communities, just as is the case in Ukraine.
“Mayors in the Republic of Moldova are entitled to wish that at least 20% of the European Union’s aid be allocated to local communities, as is happening in Ukraine,” said Ion Ștefanovici.
The President of CAPDR also highlighted the importance of a rigorous and well-structured approach to the absorption of these funds:
“In order to absorb as much as possible of these funds offered by the EU, the Republic of Moldova must first clearly identify its immediate needs, the country’s priorities, and the communities’ priorities. Last but not least, there must be a sustainable economic ecosystem because public utility projects are aimed at citizens and businesses.”
Learning from Romania’s Experience – Good Practices and Lessons from Failures
In preparation for the upcoming edition of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, the Romanian side intends to present concrete models of good practices as well as examples of failures, so that authorities and local elected officials from the Republic of Moldova can benefit from Romania’s experience in the European integration process.
“We will show that European integration has brought us tangible results, but we do not hesitate to say that we have also made mistakes, and these are useful for the Republic of Moldova because you can learn from them,” concluded Ion Ștefanovici, President of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development from Romania.
Preparing a Common Cooperation Platform
The discussions also included the preparation of a common platform of activity to ensure close cooperation between local administrations in the Republic of Moldova and Romanian institutions, with the aim of accelerating the European integration process and capitalizing on the financial opportunities offered by the European Union.
The participation of local representatives from the Republic of Moldova at the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, to be held in July in Vatra Dornei, is an important step in this direction, providing a framework dedicated to dialogue, exchange of good practices, and identification of common solutions for the challenges of regional development.
Viorel Furdui, President of CALM, made a series of essential observations regarding the limitations of the current fund allocation mechanism:
“The Congress of Local Authorities is very pleased due to a very good cooperation with CAPDR through President Ion Ștefanovici, having also a very good experience, and we are confident that this gesture of cooperation will continue.”
Regarding the EU Economic Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, Viorel Furdui emphasized:
“Although we, as the representative organization of all local authorities in the Republic of Moldova, welcomed this program, we must mention that it does not provide a direct relationship with local or regional public authorities. We have requested that this program explicitly include a quota of at least 20% of funds destined for local development, as Ukraine has managed to introduce.”
“The government tells us that local development is indirectly included through investments in infrastructure, education, or utility networks. But, from our point of view, this approach is not sufficient. We need clear provisions on how resources reach the local level and how they can be accessed by local authorities.”
“In the absence of real involvement, there is a risk that the adopted regulations do not reflect the realities on the ground, severely affecting the implementation of accession commitments. Considering that approximately 70% of European legislation is implemented at the local level, local public authorities must play an essential role in this process.”
Conclusion
The meeting between CALM and the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development from Romania, through the voice of Ion Ștefanovici, highlights the importance of strategic cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the European integration process. The efficient access to European funds and the direct involvement of local communities represent the essential pillars for the sustainable development of the region.
Romania’s experience, with all its successes and lessons, offers a valuable guide for Moldovan authorities. Participation in the Moldova Regional Economic Forum will create the necessary framework for the exchange of good practices and the consolidation of a common platform to support the economic and social transformation of the Republic of Moldova.
