The authorities of the districts of Ungheni, Călărași and Strășeni and a number of public organizations in a news conference at IPN on December 20 signed a memorandum by which they pledge to contribute to the implementation of the project to build the Târgu Mureș – Iași – Ungheni highway that is called the Union Highway.
The signatories will provide support and expertise in carrying out the feasibility study of the highway and will apply to obtain financing in this regard. They will also promote activities to inform and sensitize the public opinion to the necessity of building the highway so as to connect Moldova to the European transport network.
Director of the Institute for Development and Expertise of Projects Iurie Calestru said such a memorandum was also signed by seven mayor’s offices of Romania and their example was followed to step up efforts. Moldova has external road connection, but the infrastructure is not adjusted to the international transport network.
Gabriel Mărgineanu, president of the Tourism Industry Employers Association, said the highway is a necessity not only in the context of the development of transport infrastructure, but also for appropriate regional development. “Activism, a lot of effort and volunteering are needed to achieve a good result,” he stated.
Alexandru Brînză, deputy head of Ungheni district, said the signing of the memorandum is also a call to foreign backers. “A highway has a big impact for a country. It is attractive to investors and tourists. We will only gain,” he stated. “When this highway is built, we, those from Republic of Moldova, will have faster access to Europe and access to goods and could present our goods in Europe,” stated Nicolae Rozembac, deputy head of Călărași district. “If the access way is good, investors come. If there is not infrastructure, they do not come,” added Nicolae Budu, deputy head of Strășeni district.
“We have ten years of experience in attracting investments to the Republic of Moldova. We work in the field of energy efficiency, alternative sources of energy and think the expertise of our experts will be very beneficial in the development of infrastructure,” stated Vladimir Ursu, executive director of the public association Rural Renaissance.
Veaceslav Tutunaru, president of the public association Media Meridian Grup, which owns the radio station EcoFM, a said emphasis will be places on awareness so that the measures taken to implement the project do not affect biodiversity.
The memorandum was signed for a period of five years. Three signatory NGOs are: Tourism Industry Employers Association, Tourism Development Association of Moldova, Media Meridian Grup, Ecological Society Biotica, EcoContact, Institute for Development and Expertise of Projects, and Rural Renaissance.
