The European Committee of the Regions’ working group for Moldova met in Chișinău. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu: “The European path goes through our communities.”

Over 100 mayors from the Republic of Moldova and European Union member states are meeting today in Chișinău to discuss progress in the European integration process, opportunities for local communities, and preparations for accessing European development funds.

The dialogue is taking place on the platform of the European Committee of the Regions’ Working Group for Moldova, convened for its second session.

At the opening of the event, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu emphasized that European integration aims to build strong communities that provide people with comfortable living conditions.

“The European path goes through our communities. The implementation of the EU acquis, our reform agenda, institutional transformations – all of these make sense only if they come to life in every village and town, if they raise the standard of living and improve the services offered to people,” the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister spoke about unprecedented investments made in recent years for the modernization of localities. Between 2021 and 2024, nearly 3 billion lei were allocated for local and regional development. During this period, over 700 km of roads, 1,420 km of water supply networks, 403 km of sewerage, 610 km of public lighting were commissioned, and 265 schools and kindergartens were modernized. Additionally, 254 parks and sports grounds were renovated.

“We have constantly cared for localities. Our entire reform agenda starts from the fundamental goal: better services for citizens. We want the distance to essential services to be convenient for people. We want increasingly accessible services, including through digitalization. We want communities that develop evenly,” the Prime Minister stated.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Munteanu highlighted the importance of close cooperation between central and local authorities, as well as between Moldovan and European authorities, to fully leverage the opportunities offered by EU accession. In this regard, the partnership between the Republic of Moldova and the European Committee of the Regions, as well as the constant support from Romania, was appreciated.

“Europe is not built only at the European Integration Office or in Government offices. Europe is built through every renovated hospital, through drinking water in households, through public lighting on streets, through good schools and quality services. And you are the leaders of these processes. You are the mayors who can implement European integration on the ground, in the communities that elected you. The European Union means that Europe reaches every village,” added the Head of Government.

The Working Group for Moldova of the European Committee of the Regions was established to facilitate political dialogue and collaboration between local authorities in the Republic of Moldova, the Government, and European institutions. Through the Working Group platform, local authorities in our country can directly communicate their challenges, needs, and experiences at the European level.