Message of Mayor Vasile COZAN (Panaci, Suceava, Romania) at the launch event of the Interreg project | CAPDR–ADR Chișinău, Palace of the Republic, Chișinău – September 11, 2025
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
Thursday, September 11, 2025 – At the Palace of the Republic in Chișinău took place 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”, financed through the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program.
The event, organized in partnership between the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning (CAPDR) and the Regional Development Agency of Chișinău Municipality (ADR Chișinău), brought together representatives of public administration, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.
Speaker:
Vasile COZAN – Mayor of Panaci commune, Suceava; Romania
The vision of local leaders: experience and inspiration
Among the participants, Vasile Cozan, Mayor of Panaci commune, Suceava, delivered an intervention full of practical lessons and inspiration for local and regional administrations. Cozan emphasized the importance of dedicated leadership and sustainable cooperation.
“I believe that Mr. Ștefanovici is one of the few people who can develop not only locally, but also regionally, and even nationally. If he managed to bring us all together, I think we can bring other people to further develop and leave something behind after us.”
Panaci, located in northeastern Romania, in a picturesque mountainous area, is an example of a community that has managed to capitalize on external funds and European experience for local development.
“We are a poorer area, as we were a mining region and mining was closed down, so we had to rely on external help. We were fortunate with the European Union, which gave us pre-accession funds. It was the SAPARD program that financed road construction in Romania.”
Lessons from Panaci’s experience
The mayor highlighted the need for a well-planned and prioritized local development strategy.
“First and foremost, you must develop a local development strategy. If you have a strategy, you can align everything step by step, as the funds become available. When you complete one project, make sure it is well done, and then move on to the next.”
The experience of Panaci shows how infrastructure investments – water, sewage, gas – must be accompanied by programs that keep the community united and engaged.
“You need to create programs to keep your people close. Panaci was designated European Youth Village in 2023 and 2024. It won this title because we trusted our youth. They got involved and managed to win the project at the European level.”
Leadership with “heart and love for the land”
A central message of Cozan’s intervention was the need to choose local leaders who work with responsibility and dedication.
“You must choose people whose hearts are close to the villages, to the grassroots of the country, to the foundation of the nation, and development must happen everywhere. We should not only develop cities to make them like Dubai. What we do, we must do for our people.”
The Mayor of Panaci concluded his intervention with a call for confidence and perseverance in developing communities.
“We don’t need other people’s wealth, we don’t need other people’s dreams. We need our dream, and we must believe in it and make it come true. I wish you much success!”
Perspectives
The CAPDR–ADR Chișinău meeting demonstrated the importance of sharing best practices and cross-border cooperation for modernizing regional development policies. The experience of Panaci, shared by Vasile Cozan, highlights a few essential lessons for local administrations:
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Drafting a clear, prioritized, and phased development strategy;
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Capitalizing on European funds and cooperation programs;
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Choosing local leaders with dedication and responsibility;
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Engaging young people and creating programs that keep the community united;
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Trusting in one’s own potential and promoting balanced development for all citizens.
Through such initiatives, cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova becomes a model of cross-border partnership, strengthening administrative capacity and promoting best practices at the regional level.
Conclusions
The experience of Panaci commune, presented by Vasile Cozan, offered a concrete example of how strategy, project prioritization, and community involvement can transform a disadvantaged area into a model of regional development. Cozan emphasized that success depends not only on funds and infrastructure but also on choosing local leaders with “heart and love for the land”, who put people first and build sustainable programs for youth and the community.
Moreover, the mayor’s speech showed that regional development should not be concentrated only in cities or central areas but must include all localities, valorize the potential of each community, and provide real opportunities for young people to stay and contribute to local prosperity.
