VIDEO // Moldovan government's secretary general shares details on local public administration reform

The local public administration reform to be implemented in Moldova does not involve territorial changes or alterations of administrative borders, but is aimed at strengthening the institution of the mayor’s office and increasing the capacity of local administrations to meet community’s needs. Government’s Secretary General Alexei Buzu has made statements to this effect at consultations with development partners.

The official emphasized that the support and expertise of international partners were essential for turning the reform into a real instrument of local development. The discussions focused on identifying the most effective ways for the reform to contribute to the modernization of local public administration and the improvement of citizens’ living standards.

“It is not about territories or administrative borders, but about the opportunity to empower local public administration of Moldova. We want European mayoralties,  capable of accessing pre-accession funds and implementing projects that raise the living standards of all citizens. If the reform is limited only to maps and borders, it will be a failed reform,” said Alexei Buzu.

According to him, the government does not see the reform as a cost-cutting exercise, but as a way to accelerate local, regional and national development and to prepare the country for accessing pre-accession funds.

At the same time, the government’s secretary general urged development partners to support the reform process through the experience and expertise they have gained in the field of local public administration.

For her part, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Daniela Gasparikova noted that, over the last three years, cooperation with the State Chancellery had been “excellent”.

“I was very pleased to hear that you intend to implement a comprehensive approach, which targets both bringing local public administrations closer to citizens with a focus on service delivery, and ensuring a decentralization model from a fiscal point of view,” Gasparikova said.

Support for the reform was also announced by Germany. Ambassador Hubert Knirsch said that the need to implement the reform was widely recognized and confirmed Germany’s readiness to share its experience in the field of local public administration.

“We are ready to share Germany’s experience. Thank you for taking on such a comprehensive approach not only in aspects related to amalgamation, but also in conducting consultations with people, informing them that this reform serves to strengthen local authorities. You can count on the substantial contributions of international partners, and we are ready to provide them,” said the German ambassador.

On the coming period, the local public administration reform will be subject to consultations with both parliamentary and non-parliamentary factions, as well as with citizens from all districts of Moldova.