3 June 2026, Chișinău, Moldova

Following the successful ReSPA Open Days in Chișinău, the ReSPA Secretariat continued its mission in Moldova through a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key public institutions, aimed at deepening cooperation between the Western Balkans and Moldovan administrations.

The programme included four important institutional meetings with Moldovan counterparts working on public administration reform, digital transformation, civil service capacity development and EU integration - areas that are central to building more effective administrations and bringing both regions closer to the Shared European Space.

At the meeting with Ms Lilia Dabija, Chair of the Working Group on Public Administration Reform, the discussion focused on Moldova’s public administration reform priorities, coordination mechanisms, institutional capacity and possible areas where ReSPA’s direct support instruments, as well as regional experience from the Western Balkans, could support further reform efforts.

“Public administration reform is not a technical exercise - it is the foundation of citizens’ trust, better services and credible EU integration. By connecting Moldova’s reform experience with the Western Balkans, we are creating new space for practical learning and stronger institutions,” highlighted Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Director a.i.

ReSPA representatives were received by Ms Nicoleta Colomeet, Director of the Moldovan e-Governance Agency – MEGA, where the discussion focused on digital governance, e-government and user-centred services, digital public infrastructure and opportunities for cooperation in this domain between Moldova and the Western Balkans administrations. Digital transformation was recognised as one of the most promising areas for future cooperation, particularly through peer exchange, practical demonstrations, mobility opportunities and the sharing of lessons learned from digital service development.

At the meeting with Ms Veronica Butnaru, Director of the National Institute of Public Administration and Management - INAMP, the discussion addressed civil service professionalisation, leadership development, training systems and the importance of continuous learning for public servants in administrations in the EU accession process.

“Strong administrations are built by people — by professional, motivated and skilled public servants who understand reform and know how to implement it. This is why cooperation with institutions such as INAMP is essential for connecting knowledge, experience and people across the regions,” said Boris Ristović, ReSPA Programme Manager-Coordinator.

The final meeting took place with Ms Rodica Crudu, Deputy to the Chief Negotiator of Moldova with the EU at the Bureau for European Integration. The exchange focused on Moldova’s EU accession process, the role of public administration in implementing European standards and the importance of administrative preparedness for future EU membership.

The bilateral meetings confirmed a strong mutual interest in deepening the cooperation between ReSPA and Moldovan public institutions, while the same approach is also taken to involve the administrations of Ukraine and Armenia. Through these exchanges, ReSPA continues to position itself as a bridge between the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood administrations, supporting practical cooperation, peer learning and reforms that can deliver tangible results for citizens.

“ReSPA’s strength lies in its ability to connect administrations around real challenges and practical solutions. What started in Chișinău is an important step towards a broader community of reform-minded public institutions working together for a shared European future,” concluded Jelena Mrdak.

The visit reaffirmed that the EU integration process is not only about harmonizing legislation and implementing action plans, but also having capable institutions with professional public service that can deliver the reforms and thereby improve citizens’ everyday lives. Through upcoming activities, ReSPA will continue to support stronger links between the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood administrations, bringing the regions closer together and to the European Union.