Vice President of Soroca District Council, Iurie TĂNASE, at FERM 2025: “Blood is thicker than water – together we build lasting bridges across the Prut River”

REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, 9–13 July 2025

Thematic Panel:

Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development

Speaker:

Iurie Tănase – Vice President of Soroca District Council

Topic of Intervention:

“Institutional Cooperation between Local Public Authorities in the Republic of Moldova and the Moldova Region of Romania”

During Panel 11 – Regional and International Cooperation: Partnerships for Development, Vice President of Soroca District Council, Iurie Tănase, delivered a substantial presentation, reiterating the essential role of cooperation between local public authorities from the Republic of Moldova and Romania in regional development and attracting European funds.

Soroca – a success story in attracting European and cross-border funds

In his second consecutive participation at the Regional Economic Forum Moldova, Vice President of Soroca District Council, Iurie Tănase, highlighted the remarkable performance of Soroca district and municipality in attracting European and cross-border funds in 2024, positioning it among the leaders in the Republic of Moldova in this area.

“Soroca is a champion in attracting European and cross-border funds. This is the result of a strategic vision based on active twinning with counties in Romania and on sustainable institutional partnerships founded on mutual trust and shared development objectives.”

This international cooperation strategy has materialized through significant projects in infrastructure, cultural heritage restoration, modernization of healthcare systems, and tourism promotion. Consolidated partnerships with counties such as Iași, Suceava, Galați and others in Romania have brought tangible benefits to both the communities in Soroca District and those across the Prut River, confirming the potential of cross-border collaboration as a driver of sustainable regional development.

Strategic projects with lasting community impact

During his intervention, Vice President Iurie Tănase highlighted several significant projects that reflect the efficiency of cross-border partnerships and the commitment of Soroca authorities to sustainable local development.

Among the most notable achievements are:

• Renovation of Soroca District Hospital, a key project for improving medical services, financially supported by Suceava County Council.
• Restoration of two historic and architectural religious buildings – a cathedral and a church in Soroca municipality – contributing to the preservation of the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
• Modernization of the Dniester River promenade, a major urban infrastructure project, valued at several million euros, with a direct impact on the city’s quality of life and tourist attractiveness.
• Restoration of Soroca Fortress, a national historical symbol, implemented through the “Stephen the Great – Shared History” program, with a budget of 1.6 million euros, reconnecting historical and identity values of the region with modern cultural tourism.

These initiatives demonstrate the efficiency of cross-border collaborations and the capacity of Soroca’s local administration to leverage European funding opportunities in the interest of citizens and regional development.

Soroca Fortress – a symbol of Romanian identity and a strategic cultural tourism destination

A central point of Vice President Iurie Tănase’s intervention was promoting Soroca Fortress, a top-tier historical landmark considered by local authorities as a symbol of unity, resilience, and Romanian identity.

“Soroca Fortress is a border, battle, and historical fortress. We invite all 20 million Romanians to visit it. History should not only be known but also experienced,” Tănase declared.

The official launched an appeal to Romanian authorities for integrating Soroca Fortress into official tourist circuits, particularly within the Via Moldavia platform, which aims to promote historical and cultural routes across the Romanian space on both sides of the Prut River.

This initiative would contribute to increasing the international visibility of the monument while strengthening cultural and tourist ties between Romania and the Republic of Moldova within a common strategy to valorize historical heritage.

Local diplomacy and symbolic recognition of sustainable partnerships

As a sign of appreciation for constant support in implementing local development projects, Soroca District Council awarded the title of Honorary Citizen to prominent representatives of Romanian county public administration, highlighting the essential role of cross-border interinstitutional cooperation.

• Gheorghe Flutur, former President of Suceava County Council, received this distinction in recognition of his significant contribution to the modernization of Soroca District Hospital – a priority project for regional medical infrastructure.
• In a future Council meeting, the title will also be conferred to Costel Alexe, President of Iași County Council and leader of the “Siret-Prut-Nistru” Association, in recognition of his support for two major projects aimed at the sustainable development of the district.

Conclusion:

Vice President Iurie Tănase’s intervention convincingly highlighted the potential of cross-border partnerships between local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova and Romania. His speech was more than a statement of intent – it represented a validation through action of how interinstitutional cooperation, mutual support, and leveraging shared identity can generate concrete results for local communities.

In a regional context marked by economic and geopolitical challenges, solidarity between twinned regions, complementarity of resources, and openness to joint investments become key elements for sustainable development. Soroca demonstrates that local diplomacy and strategic initiative can transform cultural and administrative partnerships into effective tools for modernization, resilience, and European integration.

The model promoted by Soroca – based on trust, results, and long-term vision – can inspire other regions in the Republic of Moldova and Romania to deepen their cooperation, thereby contributing to the consolidation of a coherent regional development area, united in diversity and future-oriented.