Moldovan mayors acquainted with the experience of Lithuanian municipalities
On September 16–19, a delegation from the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) visited Lithuania, where they learned more about the structure of Lithuanian local government and good examples of municipal activities in infrastructures, sustainable mobility, or public services. The purpose of this visit was to strengthen the capacities of Moldovan local government institutions in the context of the country’s preparation for membership to the European Union.
Moldovan mayors familiarised themselves with Lithuania’s experience in implementing EU integration reforms at the local level, decentralisation, and modernisation of services, and were interested in the role of EU investments in promoting economic and social development in communities.
“We are pleased to be able to share with our Moldovan colleagues the skills and experience of Lithuanian municipalities,” said Roma Žakaitienė, Director of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (ALAL). “We understand the importance of transferring such experience and have been actively participating in similar projects aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and democratic processes in the Eastern Partnership countries for several years,” she added.
Infrastructures, sustainable mobility, and public services
Moldovan mayors visited the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas), and the district municipalities of Akmenė and Vilnius, and get acquainted with projects implemented with EU funds in infrastructures, sustainable mobility, and public services.
At the ALAL headquarters, the delegation was presented with the Lithuanian local government system, regional policy, cooperation with central government institutions, the aspirations of municipalities for financial independence, investment planning and other aspects of their activities.
The visit of the Moldovan mayors was organised by ALAL together with partners under the PLATFORMA project Eastern Partnership program, designed to promote decentralised cooperation and sharing of experience between municipalities in Europe and the Eastern Partnership countries.