Emil Drăghici Calls for Stronger Support for Moldova and Respect for Local Democracy

During the latest meeting of the Committee of the Regions’ Working Group on the Republic of Moldova, EA Group member Emil Drăghici, Mayor of Vulcana-Băi (Romania), presented an initiative for the adoption of a declaration reaffirming support for Moldova’s European integration path and the role of local authorities in the reform process.

In his intervention, Mr Drăghici stressed that Moldova must not be left alone as it continues implementing reforms and advancing towards EU membership. He underlined the importance of involving local authorities and their representative organisations in the country’s European integration efforts, while warning against making the amalgamation of municipalities a mandatory condition for progress.

The declaration calls for reforms to fully respect the principles of subsidiarity, local self-government and citizen consultation, while strengthening cooperation between local and regional authorities on both sides of the border.