Vasile SASU, Mayor of the Botoșani commune of Durnești (RO), on experiences and challenges in Romania–Moldova–Ukraine cross-border projects, in the context of the launch of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești
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On January 30, 2026, at the City Hall of Ștefănești, Botoșani County, the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting took place, an event dedicated to strengthening cross-border cooperation and highlighting the role of public administration in the drafting and implementation of regional development strategies. In this context, the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești was also launched.
The meeting was organized by the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), in partnership with ADR Chișinău, and was hosted by the City Hall of Ștefănești.
The event brought together approximately 60 representatives of local public administrations and institutions from the suburbs of the Municipality of Chișinău, the Northern Region of the Republic of Moldova, the counties of Botoșani, Suceava, and Iași, as well as from the cross-border cooperation eligibility area in Ukraine.
The thematic framework and objectives of the meeting
The meeting agenda focused on the theme “The role of public administration in the drafting and implementation of development strategies”, within the framework of the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Project, implemented by CAPDR and ADR Chișinău.
The project component aimed at creating an institutional framework for dialogue and practical cooperation between public authorities, associative organizations, and experts from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with an emphasis on regional development and cross-border cooperation.
During the meeting, the concept “From dialogue to action” was also presented, through the introduction of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești. Topics addressed included the establishment of the center, its membership structure, ongoing activities, projects developed by its members, as well as its role in national and international representation as a cooperation structure.
Following the working session, the agenda continued with a visit to the future headquarters of the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești, as well as an institutional networking session hosted at the base of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Ștefănești. This stage was dedicated to strengthening the RO–MD–UA network, identifying joint projects, exchanging contacts, and outlining cooperation perspectives within thematic working groups.
Vasile Sasu, Mayor of the commune of Durnești, Botoșani County, shared, during the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting in Ștefănești, his experience related to cross-border initiatives:
“Over time, I have initiated three cross-border projects, because I have been a mayor for quite some time and I wanted to develop new initiatives.”
The mayor also mentioned the partnerships established with neighboring localities:
“I have already concluded a cooperation agreement with a locality in Moldova and one in Ukraine, Țarigrad, near Drochia.”
However, he also acknowledged the concrete challenges of implementation:
“Unfortunately, none of the projects I initiated has been finalized so far.”
The statements made by Vasile Sasu highlight both the ambition to develop cross-border projects and the real difficulties in turning initiatives into completed actions, offering an authentic perspective on the challenges faced by local administrations in international cooperation.
