In his speech, Buzu put local democracy and good governance at the core of democratic sustainability, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the face of common challenges.
“The Council of Europe has been a true partner for Moldova. Its work in the field of local self-government has helped us implement what I consider our most important reform – the restoration of local public administration,” he began, thanking the Congress and the Council for their constant support and constructive dialog.
The Government Secretary General said that the European Charter of Local Self-Government is “the cornerstone of democratic sustainability” in Moldova.
Alexei Buzu also emphasized the important role of social rights in ensuring democratic stability and security, referring to the recent high-level conference on the European Social Charter held in Chisinau in March 2026.
“Investing in social rights means investing in the future of democracy itself. Democratic stability and security can only be achieved where social rights are adequately protected,” said the Secretary General, calling on Member States to put these rights at the center of the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe.
The Secretary General concluded by inviting the newly elected President of the Congress, Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CoE), to the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers to be held in Chisinau in May this year.
