Parliament of Moldova adopts package to improve cooperation with Gagauz Autonomy
The Parliament of Moldova has recently approved a consultation package created to improve cooperation between central authorities and the autonomous region of Gagauzia.
The Parliament of Moldova voted for more frequent mutual consultation processes with the Gagauz Autonomy. Photo: Parliament of Moldova
On December 29th 2022, the Parliament adopted two laws allowing for mutual consultations between the Parliament and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia during the law-making process. This achievement is a result of the ongoing dialogue process between the two legislative bodies within the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia, facilitated by CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and funded by Sweden.
“This mutual consultation mechanism represents one more step for the inclusion of Gagauzia into the political life of the Republic of Moldova and further improvement of the relationship between Gagauzia and the central authorities,” Deputy-chairperson of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and member of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia Mr. Gheorghe Leichu stated.
Deputy-chairperson of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and member of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia Mr. Gheorghe Leichu presenting the draft laws in Parliament. Photo: Parliament of Moldova
Co-chair of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia Mrs. Larisa Voloh also considered this a positive advancement, stating that “The consultations mechanism leads to the improvement of the entire legislative process as well as cooperation between the central authorities and the Gagauzia Autonomy.”
Both draft laws were developed under the auspices of the dialogue platform and endorsed by the members of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia at a formal meeting held on October 25th 2022. According to the provisions of the laws, Parliament will consult with the legislative body of Gagauzia on all issues related to their status of autonomy and its competences during the law-making process. Similarly, Gagauzia can consult the central authorities on different issues related to proposed autonomy laws.
Members of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia approve draft laws on mutual consultations. Photo: Mikhail Kalarashan / CMI
The permanent dialogue platform between the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, created in 2015, is composed of an equal number of legislators from Chisinau and Comrat. Informal meetings of the Working Group are facilitated by CMI within the “Gagauzia Dialogue” project funded by Sweden. CMI provides good offices to the dialogue process in the form of expertise and capacities building, while fostering cooperation between the central and Gagauzian authorities. Since the launch of this platform, the Parliamentary Working Group has adopted around 60 joint decisions.