The Constitutional Court (CC) of the Republic of Moldova for the first time took over the presidency of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, for a three-year term. The ceremony was held as part of the 18th Congress of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, CC president Domnica Manole announced in a press briefing on March 1, IPN reports.

“The taking over of the Conference’s presidency by our Court is an act of great responsibility. As a French expression says “noblesse oblige”. During three years, our institution will be in the focus of institutions that protect democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Europe and that set the tendencies in European constitutional law,” stated Domnica Manole.

The Conference of European Constitutional Courts promotes the exchange of information among its members on issues relating to the methods and practice of constitutional review and provides a forum for the participants to share opinions on institutional, structural and practical problems in the areas of public law and constitutional jurisdiction. It strongly supports the improvement of lasting relations between European constitutional courts and similar institutions.

Domnica Manole said the taking over of the Conference’s presidency is an occasion for making a call to all the Moldovan authorities and political players. “I invite the representatives of the authorities to show prudence in their formulations and approaches concerning the Court’s activity. I ask the political players not to involve the Court in their political struggles and assure them that we, the Court’s judges, will remain as independent and impartial and that our decisions and judgments will be in line with the constitutional provisions and values,” she stated.

The Conference of European Constitutional Courts, which was established in Dubrovnik in 1972, brings together representatives of 41 European constitutional or equivalent courts conducting a constitutional review.