President at Joint Consultative Committee Meeting: Every locality should be able to contribute to European Moldova we are building together

Changes in the region and around the world require public administration to adapt to new realities so that citizens can benefit from better living conditions and a safer environment. The head of state made the statements at the opening of the Joint Consultative Committee Meeting between the European Committee of the Regions and the Republic of Moldova.


“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 efficient teams, consolidated budgets and the right tools, can protect communities from security challenges, climate change and other risks. This is the only way to address the challenges we face today,” Maia Sandu said.


According to the head of state, cooperation between local authorities in the Republic of Moldova and those in the European Union is important for strengthening public administration and bringing the country closer to European standards.


“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 strong link on our country’s path to 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,” Maia Sandu said.


The President underlined that local public administration has an essential role in the development of communities and in the Republic of Moldova’s European path. In her view, closer ties with the European Union must produce concrete results for citizens, including better public services and improved living conditions.


“Moldova, our regions and our localities have lost a large part of their population because living standards were not in line with people’s expectations and did not match the living standards they found elsewhere. This population decline led to lower revenues for local authorities, creating a major problem that must be stopped. We must reverse these trends by creating better living conditions for the population and increasing the resilience of local authorities. To achieve this, we need appropriate public administration structures equipped with adequate budgets. This is the objective of the administrative-territorial reform currently being implemented in the Republic of Moldova. The Government is focusing on local development as a national priority because there is a clear link between local development and the sustainability of local communities. We are grateful for the support received from our partners in EU member states, but at the same time, we recognize our responsibility to use these resources sustainably,” Maia Sandu said.


The President urged local authorities to view changes and reforms as opportunities for developing communities and improving citizens’ living standards.


“I am pleased that we have many mayors here in the room who are making significant efforts for their communities. They are true leaders,” Maia Sandu said.


According to the President, changes should be viewed as an opportunity, not as a risk.


“We must talk about change as an opportunity, not as a risk. Yes, this statement may sound like a cliché, but that does not make it untrue. Only by making efforts in this direction will we be able to raise the living standards of our citizens,” the head of state said.


Maia Sandu also emphasized the importance of partnerships between local and regional authorities in the Republic of Moldova and those in European countries. According to her, cooperation enables the exchange of best practices and experience, as well as the implementation of joint projects.


“Today’s meeting and the future activity of the Joint Consultative Committee between the Republic of Moldova and the European Committee of the Regions represent another important step in this direction,” Maia Sandu added.


In her speech, the President also addressed the mayors involved in the voluntary amalgamation process, recognizing their efforts to reorganize and develop communities.


“I know that voluntary amalgamation involved lengthy and complicated negotiations, constant dialogue with residents, and the identification of solutions and compromises acceptable to the communities involved,” Maia Sandu said.


She emphasized that the mayors had taken responsibility for leading a complex but necessary process for the development of the localities they represent.


“You have taken on the responsibility of leading a complex but necessary process for the development of the localities you represent, because we need prosperous villages and towns in all regions of the country, well-planned infrastructure and public services adapted to real needs,” the President said.


Maia Sandu stated that local public administration reform must produce concrete results for citizens.

Authorities must carefully establish priorities and direct resources toward the essential needs of communities, including access to water and sewage systems, roads and public services.

In conclusion, Maia Sandu urged local authorities to make the most of cooperation with European partners and contribute to strengthening the Republic of Moldova’s European path.


“I encourage you to make the most of this cooperation platform to learn from the experience of your colleagues in other countries, to make the voice of our communities stronger in Europe and to ensure that every locality can contribute to the European Moldova we are building together,” Maia Sandu concluded.


The meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and the Republic of Moldova is taking place today in Chișinău.