PHOTO // Moldovan PM, mayors from Gagauz autonomy discuss water crisis, political deadlock in Comrat, attracting Turkish investment

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan on September 19 met mayors from the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (UTA Gagauzia), with discussions focusing on the practical problems facing localities in the region, including local budgets, access to water and sewage systems, roads and infrastructure projects.

According to the prime minister, available resources are limited and authorities must set priorities and use funds efficiently for projects with the greatest impact on communities.

“I once again realized how urgent the water problem is in the region. In many localities, wells and boreholes are drying up. We need systemic solutions and serious investments, not just isolated interventions,” Vasile Tofan said.

During the discussions, the mayors also addressed the institutional situation in the UTA Gagauzia. The PM said they had reported blockages in the implementation of certain projects and processes important for the region, which they attributed to the lack of a functioning People's Assembly.

Vasile Tofan said that “free, fair and transparent” elections must be organized, in order to provide the region with legitimate representation and an authority capable of addressing community problems. Elections for the People's Assembly of Gagauzia are scheduled for November 15, 2026.

“Once this deadlock is overcome, we must quickly make up for the lost time and focus on development,” the prime minister said.

Another topic discussed was the capitalization of the region’s economic potential and its relations with Turkey. According to Tofan, the UTA of Gagauzia benefits from an economic and trade connection with Turkey, which can be used to attract investment expand markets and create new jobs.

The prime minister emphasized that the region’s priorities stayed infrastructure development, expanding access to water and sewage systems, improving roads and attracting investments.

The meeting with the mayors of the UTA Gagauzia was part of Prime Minister Vasile Tofan’s working visit to southern Moldova. In the same region, the prime minister has recently also met business representatives, in order to discuss the development of local production, increasing exports and reducing bureaucratic barriers.