The parliamentary dialogue on Gagauzia autonomy is resumed

As a continuation of its previous activities, the official working group supporting efficient exercise of Gagauzia’s autonomy assembled on 30 May 2017 in Chisinau.

During the meeting, members of the group overviewed the achievements of the dialogue process, including the implementation of decisions adopted in 2016. They were presented with reports on the issues of establishing a Territorial Agency of the National Company for Insurances in Medicine (CNAM) in Gagauzia, allocations from the National Ecologic Fund, implications of the reform of the State Tax Service and the progress achieved by the newly created Agency for Regional Development in Gagauzia.

Following the discussion on these issues, the group came up with recommendations for more effective collaboration between the executive authorities in the autonomy and central government during a law drafting process where the interest of Gagauzia is concerned. The group members recommended also the Standing Bureau of the Parliament to speed up the consideration of the legislative initiatives agreed in 2016. The next meeting of the working group will take place on 20 June 2017.

CMI helps maintaining a permanent dialogue between the two parties

In November 2015, the Moldovan Parliament created the first permanent working group of legislators to improve relations between the center and autonomy which marked the beginning of the official dialogue process. The dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat has been supported and facilitated by CMI within the project “Supporting the efficient exercise of Gagauzia’s autonomous powers within Moldova’s constitutional framework”, funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova.

CMI acts as mediator in the official dialogue process by providing good offices and expert support. The dialogue process resulted in increased trust and improved relationships between decision-makers in Chisinau and Comrat, while the working group became a credible dialogue platform where contentious issues were addressed and discussed. In 2016, the working group held 7 official meetings and adopted 24 advisory solutions, including 3 legislative initiatives that were transmitted to relevant authorities for the endorsement and implementation.