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Iurie LEVINSCHI (Hîncești District Council, Republic of Moldova), at FERM 2025: “Romania is permanently by our side – cross-border cooperation paves the way for development”
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development
Speaker:
Topic of the intervention:
“Institutional cooperation between local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova and the Moldova Region of Romania”
Present at the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 (FERM), held between July 9–13 in Vatra Dornei, Iurie Levinschi, President of the Hîncești District Council, emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation, European projects, and strengthened relations with Romania for the development of the Republic of Moldova.
“This is my third day at this forum and my second consecutive year. Indeed, I realized that there are many pressing issues… and all these questions, I believe, are not only raised, but also addressed, and solutions are being sought for them.”
Energy Independence and Infrastructure Investments
Levinschi also mentioned the strategic energy projects in which the Republic of Moldova is involved.
“Just yesterday we signed the positive approval for the third line, which passes through Strășeni and Hîncești District, so that the Republic of Moldova is no longer dependent on energy received from the Russian Federation.”
He underlined that Hîncești is one of the largest districts of the Republic of Moldova, with over 120,000 inhabitants, playing a significant role in the implementation of these investments.
Strong Relations with Romania
A central point of his speech was the emphasis on collaboration with Romanian partners. Levinschi listed the multiple counties and institutions in Romania with which Hîncești has cooperation agreements – from Prahova and Galați to Vaslui, Iași, Maramureș, Cluj, and Neamț.
“We have seen the complete openness towards the Republic of Moldova, towards our identities… we were not only helped, but also guided on various issues and questions.”
Impactful Cross-Border Projects
The Hîncești District Council has a tradition of active involvement in European cross-border cooperation programs. Since 2007, the institution has participated in three funding cycles:
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2007–2013: rehabilitation of the Manuc Bei Mansion, one of the district’s most valuable monuments, through a €2.5 million project.
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2014–2020: three projects won – in partnership with Galați (on health and culture) and with Vaslui (on culture). In Hîncești, an ethnographic museum was rehabilitated, and in Vaslui, the Stephen the Great Monument was restored.
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2021–2027: five cross-border projects under implementation (three with Galați, one with Vaslui, one with Iași), two of which target the restoration of the Manuc Bei Mansion – including the Access Staircase (nearly €1 million) and the Hunting Castle.
The Challenge of Administrative Capacity
Although the results are notable, Levinschi warned that local authorities in the Republic of Moldova are not yet fully prepared to absorb European funds.
“We are not quite ready yet to absorb these funds, because we are not prepared… We are trying to connect our municipalities with those in Romania, so that their experience can be transferred here.”
He explained that the 39 municipalities in the district must be supported to learn how to write and implement projects, especially through collaboration with Romanian administrations, which have vast experience.
Conclusion: Gratitude and Perspective
In conclusion, the President of the Hîncești District Council expressed his appreciation for Romania’s constant support.
“Once again, I want to thank Romania and our Romanian partners, because they are always by our side, and we have truly felt this very well in recent years, through their essential contribution to the Republic of Moldova.”
Levinschi concluded that FERM remains a vital platform for addressing the daily problems of communities in the region.
“This forum unravels and opens up many problems that we can solve, right here, among ourselves, as partners, as colleagues.”
The participation of the Hîncești District Council in the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 underlines the importance of cross-border cooperation and the exchange of best practices between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
The experience gained in European projects, combined with the constant support of Romanian partners, offers the Hîncești district the chance to capitalize on available funds for sustainable development, heritage restoration, and increased administrative capacity. The Forum thus remains a key catalyst for strengthening partnerships and implementing concrete solutions to regional challenges.
