International conference «European Border Dialogues» held in Chisinau
The third International Conference «European Border Dialogues» was held in Chisinau on 21 November. The event was aimed at promoting the cross-border cooperation at the eastern border of the European Union and finding out from the experience of other countries via concrete projects how to develop the cooperation relations between the EU and eastern neighbours.
The head of the Regional Development and Construction Ministry's press service, Ecaterina Grigorean, said the conference gathered decision-makers and experts from Ukraine, Norway, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Finland and Moldova. They focused on two projects: the first «Cross-Border Cooperation on EU's Eastern Border- Learning from Finnish and Norwegian Experience», and the second «Technical Assistance of the Dniester Euroregion».
Regional Development and Construction Minister Marcel Raducan noted that the cross-border cooperation programmes are the first European initiatives where Moldova's local authorities benefit from direct financial support from the European Commission. Moldova's great interest in these programmes is proved by the country's results as regards the funds' attraction and projects' implementation. «The progress carried out within these programs showed Moldova's political will and capacity to shift to a new cooperation stage. The EU support is very important and we rely on our partners' openness on the matter», Raducan said.
Moldova is a part of four cross-border cooperation initiatives and Euroregions: Lower Danube, Upper Prut, Siret-Prut-Dniestre and Dniestre Euroregion. In the context, Deputy Regional Development and Construction Minister Veaceslav Gututui said Dniestre Euroregion was set up in 2012 and generates major expectations. «Moldova jointly with Romania and Ukraine signed many economic and cooperation agreements to use the potential and opportunities created by these entities. The Euroregions provide the opportunity to develop the cross-border trade, promote tourism, strengthen the cultural, social and environment cooperation and others», he noted.
About 112 beneficiaries out of 422 project proposals have been from Moldova at the first auction held in July 2009 within the Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Moldova 2007-2013. As many as 382 partners from Moldova participated in the auction, the country recording the highest performance on representativity and quality of applications. During the second bid, held in November 2011, Moldova maintained these high indicators, being remarked by the volume of attracted funds.
In the context of the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2007-2013, during the first auction, out of 19 approved projects worth 5.7 million euros, 10 partners are from Moldova. Thus, Moldova ranked third out of eight participant states as regards the volume of the attracted funds. During the second auction, out of the 31 selected projects estimated at 12.5 million euros, 29 projects included Moldovan beneficiaries with a 2.5 million-euro-budget.
Adapted from Moldpres