Representatives of NGOs from Moldova and Romania and officials of the two countries Friday discussed the importance of involving civil society in the bilateral relations. The participants in a civil society forum themed “Romania-Moldova Together for 20 Years” stressed the necessity of the NGOs involving themselves more actively in decision making, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The last two years were full of strategies and new plans of actions. We now must switch to a new stage and implement the political and socioeconomic plans. The civil society of the two states must contribute to the development of joint cooperation,” chairman of the National Participation Council Sorin Mereacre, one of the moderators of the forum, said in his speech. Romania’s Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said the contribution of the NGOs to the development of the Moldovan- Romanian relations is significant as civil society has the chance to raise important political issues. “A civil society that does not know what it wants cannot expect the political class to guarantee more freedoms and take into account the civil society’s wishes,” he stated. Moldovan Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca said the Moldovan-Romanian relations during the last year and a half developed considerably and civil society should take more determined steps and help Moldova make progress on the path to European integration. “Beneficial changes took place after September 2009. In Moldova, there is no more fear. The Moldovan people managed to build their freedom. But we did not yet manage to ensure the irreversibility of the democratic process and Moldova’s Europeanization. Thus, the civil society’s role remains important,” he said. The Moldovan-Romanian civil society forum is held in Chisinau the second consecutive year. It is organized by the Federation of Nongovernmental Organizations for Development of Romania with support from the Romanian Foreign Ministry. According to the organizers, the event is aimed at strengthening the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries given that Romania is an important donor of assistance for development to Moldova.