The government managed to implement 15% of the strategy for developing civil society for 2012-2015, said deputy head of the National Participation Council (NPC) Antonita Fonari. On the other hand, Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Liliana Palihovici stated the authorities intensified the cooperation with civil society, while the way the strategy was implemented should be assessed by independent experts. The annual conference “Cooperation between Parliament and Civil Society” was held in Chisinau on April 29, IPN reports.
“Unfortunately, we are at a stage when we must explain why we didn’t do certain things. The European integration is not possible in the absence of active civil society and transparency, when the people are unable to contribute, including by the 2% of the taxes paid to the state,” said Antonita Fonari.
She added that progress was made in ensuring transparency, but the Government continues to include bills that weren’t subject for public debates in the agendas of its meetings. Society must be able to support the NGOs by the 2% of the taxes paid to the state, which can be directed to the NGO sector. “Yes, we have persons who work voluntarily, but these volunteers also need money for traveling and at least a minimum parcel of food products, if they work all day. This also means costs,” state Antonita Fonari.
Liliana Palihovici told the journalists that 47% of the civil society’s proposals were last year accepted by Parliament. A relevant example is the adoption of the Law on the People’s Ombudsperson, which was challenged by civil society and passed again together with its proposals.
In the opening of the conference, Head of Parliament Igor Corman said that the number of recommendations about the legislative process made by civil society increased last year. Civil society played also a positive role in overcoming the political crisis faced by Moldova.
Attending the event, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said that the Association Agreement with the EU can be implemented only by actively involving the authorities and civil society. A country can obtain success only when Parliament, Government and civil society join their efforts.
