Migration-related challenges and the development of comprehensive integration solutions were discussed at a roundtable on “Building resilience at local level through migration management and inclusion” organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Chisinau, on 5 March 2024. The event provided a platform for reflection for 100 representatives of the government, the Parliament, local authorities, the Ombudsperson, and civil society. They outlined the importance of multilevel co-operation for effective migration management that upholds the human rights of all residents, including migrants and refugees.
The Secretary General of the Congress, Mathieu Mori, highlighted the key role of local authorities in migration management, and the importance of building synergies across public institutions, with relevant stakeholders and between countries. He reiterated the Congress support to authorities at all levels in developing sustainable, human-rights centred and democratic solutions.
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Jana Costachi, reiterated the commitment of authorities in the Republic of Moldova to further support Ukrainians who were forced to flee the war, and refugees from other parts of the world, mentioning temporary protection as one of the mechanisms offerred that demonstrates the solidarity of the people of the Republic of Moldova. . “Our biggest success is our capacity in ensuring inclusiveness and responding to the needs of the local population along with the refugees’ needs”, stressed Tatiana Badan, President of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM).
Participants were joined by local elected representatives and experts from Poland and Romania who provided valuable insights on fostering multi-dimensional inclusion. They also discussed the conclusions of a country-specific baseline report conducted in the Republic of Moldova with Congress support.
On the occasion of the roundtable, the Congress Secretary General held meetings with relevant stakeholders notably in view of the Congress contribution to the forthcoming Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028. He met representatives of the State Chancellery, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Parliament, CALM, the Ombudsperson, civil society, as well as members of the international community. These stakeholders shared their commitment to pursue multi-level governance in the country and agreed that a consolidated institutionalised dialogue between central and local authorities will also reinforce the country’s efforts to fulfil its obligations as a Council of Europe member State and as part of the EU accession process.
The event was organised by the Congress as part of two co-operation projects “Reinforcing the culture of dialogue and ethical open local governance in the Republic of Moldova” and “Strengthening resilience in local and regional authorities facing migration challenges” in partnership with CALM within the framework of the quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Congress and the national associations of local authorities from Poland, the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
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