Implementation of laws isn’t responsibility only of the Government, foreign experts

Civil society must assume a more clear role in implementing laws and promoting reforms. The suggestion was made by foreign experts who visited Moldova as part of a project for engaging civil society in promoting Moldova’s European integration agenda. The experts said that the responsibility of implementing laws didn’t belong only to the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Foreign Policy Association (APE), which implemented the project, organized a round table where it announced the recommendations of the experts. Project coordinator Victoria Boian said that 12 experts from South-Eastern European countries traveled for a fact-finding visit to Moldova. They analyzed the NGOs’ work in relation to the state institutions in promoting reforms, human rights and fighting corruption. The foreign experts recommend that NGOs remembered their basic role: of manifesting the civic conscience, promoting an agenda of socially-important values. Civil society should be two steps ahead of the Government when it comes to raising awareness among the main actors and of the public as a whole. They stressed that the Government must prove the EU it wants to join the Union and that it is ready for this. The goal of the Government and of civil society is the same and they must find ways to attain it. Governmental and nongovernmental organization must focus on implementing the new laws, as there will be enough time for amendments later. As regards Moldova’s relations with the EU, the Democrat MP Igor Corman, head of the parliamentary commission for foreign policy and European integration, said that civil society must help the implementation of reforms and also represent the country abroad with dignity. The project “Engaging civil society in promoting Moldova’s European integration agenda” is financed by the “East East Beyond Borders” Program of the Soros Moldova Foundation.