The Ministry of the Interior and the Human Rights Resource Center (CReDO) signed a cooperation agreement for implementing common actions to promote and consolidate the freedom of assembly in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. “After signing this agreement, we expect the police to be better prepared for the organization of public meetings, for protecting public order and the rights of those who organize public actions”, said Sergiu Ostaf, CReDO director. Sergiu Ostaf spoke about the role of civil society in the development and revision of the legislative framework and informed that two draft laws were being developed. The first referred to the organization of mass actions and the second to the use of force in such situations. Both will be submitted to civil society for assessment and Sergiu Ostaf hopes that the feedback offered by NGOs will be considered. The CReDO director said that the agreement included a set of instructions for police officers. Additionally, visits will be organized in countries’ whose police forces match European standards. “We want the Moldovan police to be intelligent, to understand how to act in order to avoid discouraging people and to respect their rights and ensure public order”, declared Sergiu Ostaf. “This agreement is about the bilateral relationship between the MAI and CReDO. On the other hand, I represent the National Participatory Council (CNP), I’m the coordinator of the workgroup for Justice and Human Rights and we’ll use the CNP to involve other civil society organizations in programs of cooperation with the Ministry”, said Sergiu Ostaf. Interior Minister Alexei Roibu said that the MAI agreements with NGOs had become a necessary tradition and this proved the Ministry’s new approach on collaboration between police and civil society. “I’m confident that the improvement of communication with civil society will raise people’s trust in police, which is very important for us”, he added. “Strengthening the Freedom of Assembly in Moldova” is a project supported by the EU Delegation in Moldova as part of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.