Larisa Volokh
Parliament passed, on second reading, a bill on the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the EGTC, as well as corresponding amendments to a number of regulatory acts. The document establishes the conditions and procedure by which administrative-territorial units and state institutions may create such groupings or join them.
Previously, the lack of a specific legal framework had blocked the participation of national entities in these European mechanisms, creating legal uncertainty for city halls and district councils seeking to establish formal cooperation with partners from the European Union. The proposed mechanism provides for a two-stage approval procedure: a decision at the level of the relevant authority, followed by the government’s consent. This centralized approval is necessary to ensure that participation complies with national legislation, national security, and the public interest, while adhering to EU regulations applicable to third countries.
The law also introduces safeguards for citizens’ rights in their dealings with public authorities that are part of the EGTC. This ensures the right to communicate and receive services in the Romanian language, regardless of where the group’s headquarters are located.
Entities eligible to participate include central public administration bodies, administrative-territorial units, and public-law organizations performing non-profit functions in the public interest.
