The first local information office of Parliament, created to facilitate communication between MPs and the people from the region, was inaugurated in Comrat. The event involved Head of Parliament Igor Corman, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Çiçek, lawmakers from the two states, and the administration of Gagauzia, IPN reports.

The office will host meetings of MPs and the people of Gagauzia and will strengthen the ties between Parliament and the Gagauz People’s Assembly, said Igor Corman. He added that this office is a novelty for Moldova, but three more offices of the kind will be opened in the country soon.

Cemil Çiçek said the MPs are elected by the people who must be permanently in contact with them so as to see how they work and be able to make a conscious choice in the next elections. The right to information is one of the basic human rights.

The opening of the office was possible owing to the support provided by UNDP, Sweden and Denmark. Attending the event, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Nicola Harrington-Buhay voiced hope that the people will actively use the information offered by the inaugurated office.

Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Ingrid Tersman said the office’s goal is to become a communication bridge between Parliament and the population of Gagauzia. She believes that the office will be efficient, especially in an electoral year. The diplomat underlined that democracy means transparency too.

Parliament announced a contest to fill the three vacancies at the office in Comrat. Priority will be given to candidates living in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.