More than 400 mayors from the Northern, Central and Southern regions took part in a series of consultations organized by the Government on investments and projects intended for localities involved in the voluntary amalgamation process, TRIBUNA reports.

The three days of discussions concluded with a meeting dedicated to mayors from the Southern region, attended by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea, and Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu.

President Maia Sandu praised the mayors’ involvement in the amalgamation process and their ability to secure community support for the necessary changes: “It is a complicated reform, but I want us to see in a few years that these difficult decisions have produced results and that our localities are more developed. We need strong mayors’ offices capable of attracting specialists, responding to citizens’ needs and focusing on development. I encourage those who are still in the process to continue with the same determination. We will have to work closely and together in this effort. We all want the reform to succeed.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea spoke about the need to accelerate investment and strengthen the capacity of mayors’ offices to implement projects: “There are no small or large villages, important or less important ones. We must invest where the needs are most pressing and reduce the disparities between localities. We have a lot to build, and we can do this only together.”

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu emphasized the responsibility that comes with accessing funding: “Incentive No. 2 is an important opportunity, but funding comes with requirements and responsibility. We want to discuss how we can make better use of these resources so that investments address the priorities established together with the people.”

The discussions focused on prioritizing investments and the capacity of the new administrations to prepare and implement projects. Mayors put forward proposals and discussed the difficulties they anticipate in accessing and effectively using the available funding.

Particular emphasis was placed on investments that can reduce disparities between localities and improve living conditions — from basic infrastructure and public services to projects that create long-term development opportunities.