Igor CRISTAL (CALM): “The construction of the A7 Highway will also boost the development of the entire regional infrastructure, which will benefit local authorities in the Republic of Moldova as well”

The A7 Highway is one of Romania’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, aimed at improving the connectivity of the Moldova Region with the rest of Europe, both economically and socially

This road project has a significant impact not only on Romania but also on cross-border relations with the Republic of Moldova. For local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova, the development of this highway presents significant opportunities for cooperation, investment, and regional development.

By connecting with the future A8 Highway, symbolically named the “Union Highway,” A7 becomes one of the most accessible and efficient routes linking eastern Romania to central and western Europe, facilitating transit and promoting tourism. The renowned monasteries of Moldova, such as Moldovița, Voroneț, and Humor, along with the region’s spectacular landscapes, become more accessible to citizens of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the modernization of infrastructure will contribute to strengthening economic and social relations between the two countries, reducing distances both literally and figuratively.

In this interview, Igor Cristal, a legal expert in local infrastructure and heritage at CALM, offers his perspective on the impact of the A7 Highway on cross-border cooperation, economic and social opportunities for local authorities in the Republic of Moldova, as well as an innovative joint logistics center project for the entire Extended Moldova Region.

We will also examine the potential of legislative and regulatory measures that could support this logistics center and similar economic facilities already in place in the Republic of Moldova, such as Free Economic Zones and Industrial Parks, which have attracted investments and boosted exports.

This interview aims to highlight how the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM) supports these initiatives and how local public authorities and communities in Moldova can benefit from this ambitious infrastructure project, paving the way for new opportunities for cooperation and regional development.

The A7 Highway is a major infrastructure project in Romania that will improve the connectivity of the Moldova Region with the rest of Europe. How do you see the impact of this highway on cross-border cooperation between local authorities in Romania and those in the Republic of Moldova?

The A7 Highway is currently the closest highway under construction to the Republic of Moldova, and its connection point (near Pașcani) with the future Union Highway (A8) means it will become one of the most used communication routes, both for visiting the beautiful and blessed places in Romania, such as the Moldovița, Voroneț, and Humor monasteries, the unique landscapes of Moldova on the right bank of the Prut, and, last but not least, for westward transit. Naturally, this new and modern road infrastructure will also boost cross-border cooperation between citizens of both countries, as well as local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

In both literal and figurative terms, this highway will reduce the current distances.

What are the biggest opportunities that local authorities in the Republic of Moldova can leverage in the context of the development of the A7 Highway, both economically and socially?

The construction of the highway will also drive the development of the entire regional infrastructure, benefiting local authorities in the Republic of Moldova. As a result, economic and social activities will increase, meaning that investments in new local and regional projects will grow, and new jobs will be created, allowing citizens to no longer need to “seek the world” for suitable employment to support their families and thrive, that is, for a better life.

There are discussions about developing a joint logistics center for the entire Extended Moldova Region, located along the A7 Highway route. What is your opinion on the potential of this project and its impact on the local and cross-border economy?

Developing a joint regional logistics center located along the A7 Highway route could have significant potential and a positive impact on local, regional, and cross-border infrastructure and economy. However, given the complexity of placing such an objective, I believe that certain preliminary normative measures (at the law level or at least by government decision/ordinance) are necessary in Romania to clearly and predictably establish all aspects: location, construction, operation, residency entry, and status in this economic area. It could be a public utility project, which will most likely require expropriations, compensation to property owners, and long-term investments.

In the Republic of Moldova, the practice of establishing Free Economic Zones and Industrial Parks already exists, where residents benefit from tax and economic facilities for certain periods. Thus, foreign investors are attracted to these economic zones, creating numerous jobs and ensuring exports that have helped mitigate the negative trade balance in the Republic of Moldova.

As a result, both the state and local communities and authorities benefit from these facilities.

Therefore, the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova, which brings together the majority of administrative-territorial units in the Republic of Moldova, having been established by local public authorities (about 750 out of a total of 898), supports all initiatives that will improve the lives of residents in local communities. In this regard, all CALM resources are available, primarily the human potential of the permanent secretariat, composed of several experts in all relevant fields (https://www.calm.md/despre-noi/secretariat/).

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