Two cross-border projects implemented through Romania-Moldova Joint Operational Programme contribute to development of border regions

Chisinau, 9 December /MOLDPRES/ - The benefits of projects on cross-border cooperation have been highlighted during a working visit to two projects implemented through the Romania-Moldova Joint Operation Programme 2014-2020. They were carried out at the Leuseni border crossing point and in the Milestii- Mici village, central Ialoveni district.      
The visit was made by a programme manager at the European Commission, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), Jozef Michálek, along with a representative of the State Chancellery, in its capacity of National Authority for cross-border, transnational and inter-regional  projects, and a representative of the TESIM project of the European Commission.     
At the Leuseni border crossing point, renovated within the big infrastructure project, Rehabilitation and modernization of customs offices at the Romania-Moldova border, implemented by the Customs Service, the representatives analyzed the impact on the enhancement of the safety in the border area. The Albita-Leuseni, Sculeni-Sculeni and Giurgiulesti-Giurgiulesti border offices were modernized here.      
The project included the development of the infrastructure of the border crossing points, rehabilitation of buildings and access roads, purchasing of modern equipment for more efficient customs controls. This led to the easing of the traffic and shortening of the waiting time, improvement of the work of the border crossing points and optimization of the customs control procedures.     
The second visit took place in the Milestii- Mici village, Ialoveni district, where a low-value project titled, Rediscover our cultural heritage through joint local branding, was carried out. The project was implemented by the Public Association, Modernized Society through Aspects of Territorial Reforms. Trademarks were created within this project, which is to turn to good account the local culture, to enhance the region’s visibility and to develop the cross-border tourist potential.      
Through such initiatives, the Romania-Moldova Joint Operation Programme 2014-2020 contributes to the sustainable development of the border regions, being improved the infrastructure and the cultural heritage being turned to account.  
The Interreg Next Romania-Moldova 2021-2027 is presently underway, which implies the financing of the following priorities: green communities, social development in the cross-border zone, cooperation in the cross-border zone. The information on the launch of appeals of projects and the conditions of eligibility is  published on the official website of the programme: www.ro-md.net.