EU to propose Moldova a partnership on children’s protection

The European Union proposes Moldova to initiate a partnership on the improvement and modernization of the children’s protection system, especially those with special needs, orphans or from socially-disadvantaged families, and also fighting the children trafficking. The proposal was made by the Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission within the Parliament of Europe, during a meeting with the president Vladimir Voronin. According to the Press Service of the Presidency, the discussion between the two high officials based on the efforts of promoting and protecting the rights of the children on the whole European continent, in the context of EU expanding. The Baroness appreciated the successes obtained by Romania in the activities coordinated and supervised by the European Commission. The European representative declared that at the present moment the Republic of Moldova is in a special interest area of EU, which is available to support the Moldovan authorities in the activity of increasing the efficiency of the children’s protection system, and to initiate and support new projects on this issue. Vladimir Voronin appreciated the offer of the Parliament of Europe, mentioning that it comes in an opportune period, when Moldova engaged in the reform of the children’s protection area. The head of state supported the idea presented by the Baroness Emma Nicholson, according to which these actions must start first by adjusting the national legislative framework to the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and to European norms regulating this area. The president Vladimir Voronin and Baroness Emma Nicholson expressed similar opinions regarding the functioning mechanisms of the residential institutions and those on the integration of the institutionalized children, and also the necessity of fighting trafficking in children. Both high officials visited the “Children’s City” of the Parata village, Dubasari, social institution of new type, the model of which will be implemented within the reform of the children’s social protection. Baroness Emma Nicholson de Winterbourne was impressed of the “Children’s City”, mentioning that the positive experience of the Republic of Moldova is worth to be taken by other countries. “The Children’s City” is patronized by the President's spouse , Taisia Voronin.