The European Union on October 7 launched a new twinning project in the area of quality infrastructure, which envisions the provision of support to the National Accreditation Center MOLDAC. Within the project, assistance will be offered in implementing the recommendations of the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) concerning the national accreditation system so that MOLDAC could be afterward accepted as a signatory to the Multilateral Recognition Agreement (EA MLA), IPN reports.
In a communique, the Ministry of Economy says the project will be implemented during six months, in cooperation with the Italian National Accreditation Body ACCREDIA, and has a budget of about €220,000. It includes three assessments of the management system of MOLDAC, revision and improvement of the documents of this institution, and organization of six training seminars for the personnel of MOLDAC and certification bodies. There will be made three fact-finding visits to the similar Italian bodies, with the participation of MOLDAC inspectors.
In the event, Minister of Economy Stephane Bride thanked the EU for its constant support, in particular that provided in the area of quality infrastructure within the first twinning project implemented in 2013-2014.
EU Ambassador to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola approved of the results of the previous project, saying the business community can make use of the opportunities offered by the European market only by enhancing competition to the level of this market. “We help the Republic of Moldova to play on an equal field together with the other competitors on the EU market, the main focus being on ensuring consumer protection,” stated the ambassador.
Italy’s Ambassador in Chisinau Enrico Nunziata said that ACCREDIA has the necessary international experience to achieve all the objectives of the project. “We are glad to share our experience in the area of quality infrastructure with Moldova because it is an important exercise for implementing the DCFTA and for promoting exports,” he stated.
Twinning has become one of the main instruments used by the EU to support institutional building. It is designed to help the beneficiary countries to develop modern and efficient public institutions by ensuring the framework that allows the public institutions and organizations from the beneficiary countries to work with their counterparts from the EU member states.
