LIVE // Communities as active part of European integration process

The first Joint Consultative Committee between the Republic of Moldova and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is holding its first meeting today in Chisinau, an event that marks a new stage in cooperation between local and regional authorities from the Republic of Moldova and those from the European Union. Representatives of the European Committee of the Regions from Brussels and Strasbourg, mayors and district presidents from the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives of local authorities from Ukraine are taking part in the meeting.

 



President Maia Sandu stressed that the success of European integration must be directly reflected in the lives of communities and in the quality of public services. Maia Sandu highlighted the need for stronger local authorities, with sufficient resources and powers to address current challenges and harness the opportunities offered by the EU. The President praised the efforts of mayors involved in the reform and stressed that it is not being carried out “for the sake of reform,” but to create more prosperous communities and give people greater confidence in the present and future of their localities.


“The launch of the first meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee between the Republic of Moldova and the European Committee of the Regions creates another close link on our country’s path toward the European Union. This is a particularly important step, because we need institutions at all levels that are ready to deliver results for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and especially to be able to turn the opportunities offered by European integration into tangible results. The world around us is changing, and we must adapt our administration to the new realities so that our people can live in a better and safer world. Only strong local authorities, with effective teams, consolidated budgets and the right tools, can protect communities from security challenges, climate change and other risks,” Maia Sandu said.




The first session is co-chaired by Mariana Gâju, mayor of Cumpăna commune, Constanța County and president of Romania’s Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions, and Valentina Casian, mayor of Strășeni and co-chair on behalf of the Republic of Moldova.

Mariana Gâju praised the Republic of Moldova’s resilience in the face of external interference and disinformation and reaffirmed the support of European local and regional authorities for the country’s European path.


“We are at home, in the Republic of Moldova, where, together with the co-chair designated by the Republic of Moldova, Ms. Valentina Casian, we have the great honor and joy of leading the first session of the Joint Consultative Committee—at home, nowhere else but among our brothers and sisters in the Republic of Moldova. The launch of the Committee marks an important stage for local and regional authorities in the Republic of Moldova in the process of joining the European Union and provides an opportunity to develop common policies and concrete partnerships. Together, we will establish common policies for Moldova’s future in the European Union, including through partnerships and practical cooperation,” Mariana Gâju emphasized.




The establishment of the new mechanism is taking place in parallel with the negotiations on the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EU and the reform of local public administration. The meeting examines the progress achieved in the reform of local public administration, as well as the next steps.


“The Republic of Moldova is building its path toward the European Union, and this path must pass through every locality, where people live, work and build their future, where citizens directly experience the quality of public services, the efficiency of administration and the results of reforms. Today, we are taking an important step to bring the voice of our communities closer to Europe. We are officially launching the Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and the Republic of Moldova, a platform through which the local and regional perspective can directly contribute to the country’s European path. (...) European integration is not built only through decisions and policies. It is built in communities, in schools, in infrastructure, in quality public services, in efficient, transparent administrations that are close to citizens. (...) Europe begins where our responsibility toward citizens begins, and the communities of the Republic of Moldova must be an active part of this European construction,” said Valentina Casian, co-chair on behalf of the Republic of Moldova.




The creation of the Joint Consultative Committee was approved on May 28, 2026, through a decision of the Republic of Moldova–European Union Association Council. The transition from the European Committee of the Regions’ Working Group on Moldova to the Joint Consultative Committee format took place in less than a year and a half, making it the fastest transition of its kind in the history of the European Committee of the Regions’ cooperation with countries in the EU accession process. The new mechanism aims to strengthen direct dialogue between local and regional authorities from the Republic of Moldova and those from the European Union, develop cooperation and harness the experience of local administrations in the member states.