Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, President of CAPDR: “Mr. Director Asandei, the development targets of the Moldova Region must be set at home, in agreement with Brussels, not the other way around.”
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At this time, at the European level, strategic directions are being set for the future financial framework 2028–2034.
This is a crucial stage, in which regions are called to actively contribute with their own visions, priorities, and development models.
In this context, we consider it necessary to express, on behalf of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), a position of balance and responsibility regarding how the North-East Development Region relates to the European planning process.
The public statement made by the General Director Vasile Asandei, according to which “we are waiting for the targets set in Brussels to implement them in the region”, reflects an approach that, in our opinion, needs to be complemented.
The development targets of the Moldova Region cannot simply be received from outside; they must be generated internally, within the region, through a consultative and representative process, and then harmonized with Brussels.
This vision was concretely demonstrated through the Regional Economic Forum Moldova – FERM 2025, held in Vatra Dornei, where over 600 regional stakeholders and 132 speakers gathered in 11 panels to contribute to the drafting of the FERM 2025 CHARTER – a document summarizing the needs and action directions of the Moldova Region.
FERM 2025 Charter also includes a concrete perspective on cooperation with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, based on ongoing projects and institutional cooperation mechanisms.
From this perspective, the Moldova Region already has a solid foundation of content and legitimacy to participate in defining European objectives for the 2028–2034 period.
Going to Brussels without a clear internal vision means neglecting precisely the foundation of regional development: the region’s capacity to formulate its own priorities.
Regions should not wait for directives; they must propose, argue, and negotiate the directions that best represent their interests.
This is a professional attitude in relation to Mr. Asandei.
Personally, I have always shown respect and understanding, including on a human level, towards Mr. Vasile Asandei.
However, today we are discussing the future of the Moldova Region — a moment in which there is no room for errors.
The lives of over 4 million citizens, their families, the professional future of young people, as well as the destiny of the Republic of Moldova — in whose evolution the Moldova Region plays a decisive role — are at stake.
Moreover, the prerogatives of the Moldova Region regarding the Chernivtsi and Odesa regions must be respected, as these determine the directions and cross-border European funding arising from the respective cooperation axes.
I trust that Mr. Asandei and his team will demonstrate the wisdom of collaboration and will not exert pressure on the parties involved in regional or cross-border projects.
Such a situation would be extremely serious, at a moment when the entire region needs unity, transparency, and a common vision.
On behalf of CAPDR and the extended network of partners from the public, private, and academic sectors, we reaffirm this belief:
➡️ Development targets are set at home, in the Moldova Region, and are consolidated together with Brussels through dialogue and partnership.
To ensure the coherence of this process, we expect that by the end of this month an official working meeting between ADR North-East and CAPDR will be organized, dedicated to internal and external regional dossiers, in order to establish a common position regarding the priorities of the Moldova Region for 2028–2034.
Should this meeting not take place, we will propose initiating the process of modifying the leadership component of ADR North-East, aiming to create prerogatives for representation and achievement of the Moldova Region’s internal and external targets for the next decade, in full accordance with real needs, available resources, and active external partnerships of our region.
It is time for the Moldova Region to fully assert its planning and representation capacity — within Romania, in its relations with Brussels, and in cooperation with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
Signed,
Ion Ștefanovici
President, Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR)
General Coordinator – Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM)
