Today, the Republic of Moldova is hosting the 15th annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), bringing together representatives of local and regional authorities, European institutions, and partner countries, TRIBUNA reports.

The meeting focused on combating information manipulation and foreign interference, strengthening the role of local and regional media, and improving the public policymaking process at the local and regional levels.

Opening the meeting, Government Secretary General Alexei Buzu spoke about the role of local elected officials in strengthening public trust and the resilience of communities in the face of information manipulation and foreign interference.

“We should not wait for a miracle solution. We need courage and a willingness to take responsibility, to always stand alongside citizens, to discuss and consult with them, including when we have difficult decisions to make. People need to feel that we are fighting for them and for their communities,” Alexei Buzu said.

The Government Secretary General emphasized that the experience of mayors and local elected officials in the Republic of Moldova demonstrates the importance of staying close to citizens, understanding their needs, and maintaining constant communication.

“This is the lesson from Moldova’s local elected officials: we must take responsibility for difficult decisions on behalf of our citizens and communities and remain permanently alongside people. This closeness, dialogue, and care for the community are the strongest form of resilience,” the Government Secretary General said.

A separate panel was dedicated to strengthening the public policymaking process at the local and regional levels. Discussions focused on using data and factual information in decision-making, developing the skills of public officials, and adopting best practices from cities and regions across the European Union. The goal is to enable local administrations to turn available resources into projects that deliver concrete results for citizens.

The meeting also saw the launch of the pilot project of the Eastern Partnership Academy for Public Administration at the Local and Regional Level (EPAPA), aimed at strengthening the capacity of local administrations and facilitating the exchange of experience between authorities in the European Union and those in the Eastern Partnership countries.

CORLEAP is a cooperation platform between local and regional authorities in the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries. It facilitates the exchange of best practices and the development of partnerships that contribute to more effective administrations and more resilient communities.