Annual meeting of Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for Eastern Partnership held in Chisinau

Moldova today is hosting the 15th annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP). The event brought together high-ranking officials from more countries, who discussed combating foreign information manipulation and interference, as well as strengthening evidence-based policymaking at the local and regional levels in the Eastern Partnership countries.

The meeting was co-chaired by Patrick Molinoz, representing the European Committee of the Regions, who highlighted, at the opening of the event, the major challenges facing society, in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, manipulation campaigns and foreign interference.

„Moldova is currently very close to the European Union. We are in a highly demanding geopolitical context. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has profound consequences. Our societies are facing major challenges and difficulties, including manipulation, disinformation and attempts at foreign interference. (...) Local authorities and local media are on the front line of defending democracy; every day, they maintain a relationship of trust with citizens and play an essential role in promoting accurate information. When it comes to disinformation campaigns, we must respond, ensure resilience and work on security systems in every country, as well as on education, transparency, citizens’ participation and the strengthening of local media. We will exchange experiences and put forward concrete proposals to strengthen democratic resilience, democratic action and cooperation with the European Union. Political dialogue must be developed, and we must strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation between local and regional authorities,” Patrick Molinoz said.





Constantin Cojocari, mayor of Edinet and co-chair of CORLEAP, stressed that the meeting was taking place at an important moment on Moldova's European path.

„The fact that we are meeting here, in Moldova, at such an important moment on our European path, has special significance for us. Your presence is the best evidence that dialogue between local authorities from the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries is alive and producing results. Today's agenda is unquestionably timely. We will discuss combating foreign information manipulation and the role of local authorities in strengthening the resilience of community media. We will also discuss how evidence- and experience-based policymaking, drawing on the cities and regions of the European Union, can serve our administrations,” Constantin Cojocari said.

Government Secretary-General Alexei Buzu, who attended the event, stressed that the response of authorities and society to manipulation and foreign interference must be based on unity and communication, so that citizens are properly informed and authorities stand by them, especially when difficult decisions are required.

„We have become much more vulnerable to manipulation, because of three feelings: the feeling that we no longer belong to an identity or a community, the feeling that no one is fighting for us, and the feeling that if someone is fighting, they are powerless. This makes us much more vulnerable to manipulation and foreign interference. And if the problem is so fundamental, then the solutions must also be more fundamental. I believe that, in the face of these three feelings, we need three very important elements. First, courage and responsibility. Second, we must always be with citizens, talk to them, consult them, ask for their opinions and explain things to them. And, very importantly, we must have the feeling that we are fighting for them and for the community all the way. This is what I have seen over the past year, practically since we launched the local public administration reform. I have come to know the mayors and local elected officials of Moldova even better. This is their lesson. This is the secret and the solution. We must learn these lessons, take responsibility for difficult decisions on behalf of our citizens and communities, and be aware of citizens' needs. We must always be with citizens, talk to them and consult them, and stand by them not only at festivals and community celebrations, but also when difficult decisions have to be made. This is the lesson of the local elected officials of Moldova,” Alexei Buzu said.



European Union Ambassador to Moldova Iwona Piórko noted that the meeting had been organized at a very important moment for Moldova and for Europe as a whole. The official underlined the importance of strengthening the capacities of local public authorities, in the context of the European integration process. She  stressed that the success of accession depended, to a great extent, on the ability of local authorities to engage, attract funding and manage it.

„A very large part of European legislation will have to be implemented at the local level, including legislation on the environment, transport, social policies and education. That is why, it is important to prepare for accession, because its success depends, to a great extent, on the capacity of local authorities to get involved and achieve results. I know that many of you want to join the European Union. You must be strong and capable of absorbing funds and achieving the best results, by making the most of the opportunities available. For this, you need professional staff, administrative capacity and financial planning capacity,” Iwona Piórko said.





Marcel Spatari, the head of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, said that manipulation and foreign interference pose a threat to society, and that building resilience requires strengthening our efforts, building strong public institutions, investing in education and supporting reliable sources of information.

„Moldova has learned that foreign manipulation and foreign interference pose a threat to our society. This meeting helps us build the resilience we need. Unfortunately, disinformation spreads within seconds, while resilience is built over many years. We may be vulnerable today, but if we build strong public institutions and invest in education and stronger media, we will succeed in building a social barrier against disinformation and attacks. Our goal as politicians is not to tell people what to believe and what not to believe, but to create a society in which citizens have trustworthy sources of information,” Marcel Spatari said.





The meeting's agenda also included the launch of the Eastern Partnership Academy for Local and Regional Public Administration project, which aims to provide a rare opportunity for civil servants from local and regional public administrations in the Eastern Partnership countries to take a European course specially meant for them.