Benita Ferrero-Waldner advises Chisinau authorities to step up dialogue with European organisations

The EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner recommended the municipal public authorities to strengthen the dialogue with the European organisations and diplomatic missions working in Chisinau. The European official made the statement at a meeting with Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, the City Hall’s press service informs, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Benita Ferrero-Waldner enquired about the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan at the level of local public authorities, including in Chisinau. According to her, the local autonomy, the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the media constitute the pillars of a democratic society. The mayor general informed Benita Ferrero-Waldner about the social-political situation in the municipality, referring to the relations between the local and central authorities that became tenser especially as a result of the latest events, such as the conflict with the heat supplier Termocom SA. Waldner said that she is pleased that by discussing with the local authorities of Chisinau municipality, she fond out a viewpoint about the implementation of the EU-Moldova Plan of Action that is different from that of the central authorities. Benita Ferrero-Waldner had been in Chisinau on a working visit between February 14 and 15. She had meetings with the senior state authorities and with other officials.