FERM 2024 | Message from the Mayor of Botoșani Municipality, Cosmin ANDREI
100 de oportunități economice pentru dezvoltarea Regiunii Moldova pe traseul Autostrăzii A7
Panel “INVESTMENTS”
Module II – Developing Moldova through the A7 Highway, the 18th Edition of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, Vatra Dornei, 2024
SPEAKER – Cosmin ANDREI, Mayor of Botoșani Municipality
TOPIC: “The importance of communication arteries in the development of transit municipalities”
The intervention of Botoșani Municipality Mayor, Cosmin Andrei, during the A7 Highway section of the Investments Panel began with a recall of the protests that took place in Moldova to promote the project of a highway for the region. “Many cars with stickers, Moldova wants a highway. Also, in my county, Botoșani, there were protests in front of the Prefecture”, he stated.
Infrastructure evolution and expectations
“Time has passed, and these protests have faded, and naturally, road communication infrastructure is developing”, said Cosmin Andrei.
“The question is whether the expectations we have with the development of this infrastructure will be met,” said the mayor, emphasizing that it is not enough to merely shorten distances and travel them in less time. “We also need human resources to lead to the development of this region”, added the mayor.
Moldova’s situation compared to the West of the country
Mayor Andrei expressed cautious optimism regarding the attractiveness of the Moldova region compared to the west of the country. “Those in the west of the country have developed at a faster pace, partly due to their geographical position, which has been primarily more attractive from a geopolitical standpoint”, noted Mayor Cosmin Andrei.
However, he also discussed the potential for international collaboration. “Our partners from Moldova and Ukraine can help in the development of Romania through what is happening in their countries”, said the mayor of Botoșani Municipality, adding that development in these countries could increase the attractiveness of the highway.
The issue of road classification and territorial integration
Cosmin Andrei highlighted an important aspect related to road classification and the lack of integrated thinking at the national level. “The way these communication arteries are classified, from communal roads to highways, is not thought out integrally,” explained Cosmin Andrei.
He provided a concrete example from personal experience: “When we move from one county to another, it feels like it is a different road, because each administrator has their geographical competencies, which are not integrated, and unfortunately, there are discrepancies.”
Positive changes at the Ministry of Transport level
Mayor Cosmin Andrei appreciated the recent changes in the approach of the Ministry of Transport, highlighting the implementation of the transfer of competencies and infrastructure development. “I appreciate a change in approach at the Ministry of Transport level, which we have seen implemented even in Botoșani,” noted the mayor.
A notable example is the tender for the Botoșani ring road, implemented with the support of the Ministry”We will interconnect the Botoșani Municipality ring road to the A7 Highway via the Suceava-Botoșani express road”, concluded Botoșani Municipality Mayor Cosmin Andrei.
