Keep on working for a stronger and deeper commitment within EaP

As ALDA’s engagement becomes deeper stronger in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) area, we are very glad to announce that ALDA, in the person of the EaP regional coordinator Alexandru Coica, is actively engaged within the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (CSF EaP), as far as the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova concerns. 

Signed on 27 June 2014, the Association Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2016, and according to article 442 a Civil Society Platform (CSP) should have been set, so that to have Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) –  from both EU and Moldova– involved “in order to keep them informed of, and gather input for, the implementation of this Agreement”.

Besides, the Platform organises regular meetings to discuss and share ideas, while making recommendations to the Association Council. 

“In order to keep them informed of, and gather input for, the implementation of this Agreement”

During the seventh meeting – held virtually on 30-31 March 2021 – the CSP tackled different key aspects and, among them, one can find:

•   The welcoming of the agenda of the  President of Moldova; without forgetting, yet, the concern on the polarisation of the country;
•   The attention on the Transparency International Index, focusing on the level of corruption in Moldova, as well as the dichotomy on salaries between male and female workers and the welcoming of the EU Focal Regions Programme;
•   The focus on the climate change, especially the willingness of the Republic to reduce emission by 70% by 2030

Furthermore,  the occasion served as a moment to discuss two issues more in depth. Starting with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions both on the social and economic development, CSP recognised and appreciated the EU and its Members States’ solidarity in supporting Moldova – through, for example, “Team Europe”. Yet, the importance of having an efficient communication strategy on vaccination campaign has also risen. 

In addition, on economic development,  the second issue above-mentioned, participants to the seventh meeting called on the Moldovan Government to postpone fiscal payments for companies and individual entrepreneurs and to increase unemployment subsidies. Furthermore, they also urge the need to have civil society involved, especially when it comes to discuss and define policies to address the current health crisis and its negative outcomes.

Finally, the overall health sector has been addressed also as far as its digitalisation concerns. The latter has been seen both as an opportunity to make the most of the EU4Digital initiatives; and as risk – meaning that it should not lead to cuts in services.

ALDA has actively contributed in this process and within the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform, in order to make a concrete step forward while sharing its valuable knowledge and expertise.