A study assessing the impact of European Union legislation on the activities of local public administration authorities (LPAs) in the Republic of Moldova will be carried out over the coming months. The study aims to identify the obligations incumbent upon local public administration authorities in implementing the EU acquis, the local-level processes that require adjustment to ensure the effective transposition of European standards, and the opportunities available to LPAs.
The study will be conducted by SALAR International within the framework of the Moldovan-Swedish project PACE Local: Local Public Administration, Citizen Engagement, with the support of the Government of Sweden, in partnership with the Network of Local Ambassadors for European Integration of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM).
The study development process will involve international and national experts, as well as mayors and local public administration specialists from various regions of the country.
According to the European Committee of the Regions, up to 70% of the EU acquis directly affects the activities of local authorities. Among the areas with the greatest impact are public procurement, environmental protection and waste management, regional policy and access to European funds, competition policy and state aid, among others.
David Young, SALAR International expert, stated during the workshop launching the study that similar assessments have been conducted in other countries that have completed or are undergoing the European Union accession process, such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine. Identifying the areas that require alignment with European standards represents an essential strategic tool, including in the process of negotiating transition periods for the implementation of complex requirements.
Ghenadie Marian, Head of the European Integration Office, stated that a better understanding by LPAs of the European integration process and the chapters of the EU acquis will improve cooperation between central and local public authorities in advancing the European path, and that the success of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EU also depends on the involvement of local authorities.
Violeta Crudu, Mayor of Cruzești and Vice-President of CALM, confirmed the usefulness of such a study for ensuring the active participation of mayors in the Republic of Moldova’s accession process to the European Union. The study results will contribute to strengthening the capacity of local public authorities to effectively implement European legislation and make full use of the opportunities offered by the European integration process, thereby facilitating the development of local communities.
