The initial meeting of the Working Group on ensuring, within the constitutional norms, the functionality of the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia and of the legislative provisions of the Republic of Moldova in relation to the special status of the ATU Gagauzia, with new members, took place on March 22, 2022, at the seat of the Parliament.
The speaker of the Parliament, Igor Grosu, welcomed the resumption of activities of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia after the governing bodies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia had been formed. The head of the legislative body also mentioned that it is happening at a difficult time for our country marked by numerous crises.
We have to address these major challenges, and this could be done only through a dialogue. And that is why we ask members of the Working Group to communicate intensely, to act rapidly and with the help of development partners in order to identify the best possible solutions expected by the citizens
declared Igor Grosu
Irina Vlah, the Governor of the ATU Gagauzia, confirmed that the common priority task is to consolidate the unity of the society and to enhance the culture of democracy, she urged members of the Working Group to develop a common agenda.
You have an important advantage – that is generous support from development partners of the Republic of Moldova. Based on the best practices of parliamentarism, it is possible to achieve significant results in the process of harmonizing the national and regional legislation. Every compromise reached on this platform will contribute to strengthening of the culture of democracy and to ensuring the unity of our society.
mentioned Irina Vlah
During the meeting, the co-chairs of the Working Group – Vladimir Bolea, member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and Serghei Cimpoieș, a member of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia – confirmed their readiness and interest in engaging in a constructive dialogue in the framework of the Working Group, and in restoring full functionality of that important tool in the dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat.
The event was attended by representatives of the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and by development partners of the Republic of Moldova, such as the Embassies of Sweden and the USA, but also OSCE and UNDP. They welcomed the resumption of activities of the Working Group on Gagauzia with new members and expressed their support to facilitate its proper functioning.
The Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia was established on November 20, 2015, by the Chair of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. The goal of the Group is to improve functioning of the Gagauz autonomy within the constitutional norms of the Republic of Moldova and the legislative provisions of the Republic of Moldova in relation to the special status of the ATU Gagauzia as of 1994. The Working Group consists of an equal number of representatives of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. Within the dialogue process, the Group holds formal and informal meetings for the purpose of developing common solutions to common problems. The Parliamentary Working Group is a unique and the most sustainable platform for an institutional political dialogue, which works on issues related to efficient functioning of the ATU Gagauzia.
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The dialogue between members of the Parliament and representatives of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia is facilitated by the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation in the framework of the project “Gagauzia Dialogue” funded by Sweden. The project brings together legislators, experts and stakeholders from Chisinau, Comrat and from all over the country to find common solutions for effective functioning of the Gagauz autonomy. The project organizes activities to enhance the dialogue through regular informal meetings, discussions, workshops and study visits to strengthen their capacity for engagement in the process of solving problems and ensuring a sustainable dialogue.
CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation is a Finnish organization established in 2000 by the Noble Peace Prize laureate and the former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. The efforts of the organization are aimed at preventing and resolving conflicts through dialogue and mediation.
