PM says implementation of correct, efficient policies of regions' development crucial for flourishing of Moldova

Chisinau, 26 May /MOLDPRES/ - Issues of regional development were discussed at a today’s meeting between Prime Minister Pavel Filip and representatives of the community of donors who finance projects in this field, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

In this context, the prime minister thanked the European partners for the long-lasting support in implementing the reforms’ agenda and backing the European integration of Moldova, including through assistance projects in the regional development sector.   

At the same time, Pavel Filip stressed the importance of enforcing the association agenda and the Roadmap, as well as the wish to boost this process. The prime minister referred also to the present visit to Moldova by a mission of experts of the International Monetary Fund. He highlighted the government’s determination to sign a new agreement with IMF and re-establish the confidence of development partners.  

“The improvement of the living standards of the citizens is an absolute priority, and in this respect, the implementation of correct and efficient policies of regions’ development is crucial for the country’s flourishing,” Pavel Filip stressed.

The prime minister also emphasized the role of the local public administration and civil society in promoting regional development policies and the cabinet’s concern about ensuring the sustainability of foreign assistance projects. “It is necessary that we consolidate the capacities of assimilating foreign funds and monitor their efficient and transparent implementation, both within country support programmes and in regional and cross-border cooperation ones,” the PM said.   

For their part, representatives of the donor countries demanded that the regional development sector be taken into consideration, as a priority, while developing the central public administration reform. In this way, a balanced developed of the regions should be ensured, by rigorously, transparently and competitively selecting projects directed to regions. Also, the European partners referred to the need to apply a mechanism of strict control in terms of the use of public money, strengthening the capacities of the work of the Regional Development Agencies and Regional Development Councils.   

A special topic of the discussions was the role of the civil society and mass media in monitoring the projects’ implementation process. Representatives of donors’ community said it is very important that the society is aware that the regional development projects, financed from abroad, belonged to local communities.   

(Editor A. Raileanu)