Eastern Partnership countries are faced with common challenges in the area of local governance. Moldova’s leadership shares the goal to build thriving communities, which offer job opportunities, access to water and sanitation, good healthcare and education services to their residents. This was stated by Maia Sandu at the 10th annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), taking place in Brussels. The Moldovan president encouraged representatives of local public administration from other countries in the region to build partnerships, support each other and share good practices.
“Depopulation has hit our rural communities hard. We want people to stay; we want those who left to come back. In order to achieve that, we need to invest in our rural areas and create new opportunities for growth in every town. We must build Europe at home”, declared Maia Sandu.
Emphasizing fiscal decentralization as an essential element in the success of local development, the Moldovan president spoke of the support needed by mayors who work to improve the lives of their constituents. “Over the past years, various corrupt officials in power in Moldova put political pressure on mayors to submit to their agenda. They harassed those who refused to fulfil their unlawful political orders, often by using law enforcement or denying them access to funding. This ill-fated practice expanded political corruption, interfered with local fundraising efforts, and weakened our democratic system as a whole. The Government and I pledge to support and uphold the independence of local public authorities”, stated Maia Sandu.
Mayors must understand the power they yield. The source of that power is rooted in popular support and a strong connection to their community. Mayors play a crucial role in strengthening democratic processes and the tradition of democracy in our country, added the Moldovan president.
