The Republic of Moldova becomes closer to the European Union, including through regional development projects. This conclusion was reached by representatives of 20 countries who met at a meeting of experts in regional development. This meeting is part of the cycle of conferences entitled ‘Overcoming regional disparities. Implementation of regional development policies, which are key factors for success’.

The event was held on 21-22 May 2014 by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the German Development Cooperation through GIZ. Among the main objectives set by the organizers was to provide a platform for exchange of experience regarding regional development, and encourage the launch of initiatives that would facilitate effective implementation of regional development projects in the territory.

Previous editions of the conference took place in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the host of this year was the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of the Republic of Moldova (MRDC).

‘This conference has become a successful forum for the initiated public and can be seen as an expression of lasting relations and good cooperation with the partners of the Republic of Moldova. I am convinced that the meeting and the discussions held at the conference will lay the foundations of international partnerships and concrete projects in the future’, said Marcel Răducan, Minister of Regional Development and Construction of Republic of Moldova.

Important segment in the European course

The paramount objectives set by the Government of the Republic of Moldova are directed to 4 priority areas: physical infrastructure (water and sanitation, road infrastructure), tourism, waste management and not the least, economic development projects. In this context, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca said that ‘regional development projects represent an important part of the European course of the Republic of Moldova and reducing disparities and gaps in the region, especially in terms of income and level of development , is the basic principle of cohesion policy followed by the Government’.

Following the approach of European integration aspirations, the participants noted that the conference will provide countries that are not yet EU members, models for implementing regional development policies that will increase the living standards of citizens, thus contributing to improving all socio-economic aspects and better infrastructure. The conference was attended by experts from several countries that have focused on finding practical solutions to regional development, including for the Republic of Moldova.

Dr. Thomas Weithoner, deputy head of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the need to improve relations between the public and politicians. ‘It is important for people to be involved in this projects, as is the case of students from the school where the production of honey project was implemented , where children take part directly in the process and are involved in the care of bee families’, exemplified Weithoner .

Solutions for liquidation of disparities

Efficiency of activities was applied within the conference as well. Thus, the participants were divided into four working groups according to the selected theme. Each group had the aim of finding solutions to problems in regional development such as ways of identifying, prioritizing and implementing projects; establish the link between regional development and job creation.

 ‘I am sure that after discussions that took place during the group work, we will find the answers to those questions that really bothers us all, how to find those regional disparities, which would be the mechanism of their liquidation, how can all regions in Moldova be funded uniformly and enjoy an equivalent number of implemented projects’, noted Răducan. During the conference there were discussed regarding issues of regional development, disparities and that imbalance that is desired to be liquidated.

Issues addressed at the conference became important for the Republic of Moldova since 2012. Then, under the call for project proposals, 208 projects were submitted and subsequently, there were selected and approved by a Government decision, 62 investment projects. Out of the projects selected, this year, there are implemented 41 projects, 9 of which are funded by the German partners and 32 from the National Fund for Regional Development. The Head of the Directorate General for Regional Development of MRDC, Valerian Bînzaru specified: ‘Most projects have been undertaken to improve physical infrastructure, water and sanitation. At the moment, there are implemented projects worth EUR 175 million, but this does not mean that all will be implemented in 2014. Much of these projects will be realized for several years’.

The conference lasted two days, during which there were set the priorities of the Republic of Moldova for the accomplishment of regional development projects for the coming years.