The Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia is not neglected, while the central authorities are taking measures to develop all the country’s regions equally. The technical working group on the creation of the Development Agency Gagauzia had a meeting at the end of July and the autonomous unit’s representatives should submit proposals as to how the agency should be set up and how it should work, Deputy Minister for Regional Development and Construction Liviu Oboroc stated for IPN, denying the opposite statements made by the Gagauz authorities .
The official was asked by the Agency to pronounce on a letter sent by the Governor of Gagauzia Mihail Formuzal to the Ministry. According to reports, the Governor stated that the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of Moldova artificially delays the inclusion of Gagauzia in the process of implementing the Law on Regional Development and the National Regional Development Strategy.
“We haven’t seen a letter from the governor. But I can say that the Ministry does not neglect the opinion of those from Gagauzia. Moreover, we involve the representatives of Gagauzia in all the processes concerning regional development. As to the Development Agency Gagauzia, its creation is stipulated in the 2013-2015 Regional Development Strategy approved by the Government two weeks ago.
“The first meeting of the working group took place in Cimisalia, at the head office of the Development Agency South. It involved members of the interministerial commission – representatives of six ministries, and representatives of the executive and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. The creation of the Development Agency Gagauzia was discussed there. The representatives of the region were asked to make suggestions as regards its functioning as we cannot set up the agency according to the existing models because Gagauzia is autonomous and has a separate tax system,” stated Liviu Oboroc.
He added he will be able to say to what delay Mihail Formuzal refers when he sees the letter and finds out his arguments.
The National Regional Development Strategy was adopted by the Government of Moldova on August 21. The administration of Gagauzia said the strategy was worked out without taking into account the opinions of the region’s officials and thus does not ensure the full participation of the autonomous region in implementing development programs.
