Moldovan PM praises OSCE's support to ensure social cohesion in Moldova

Chisinau, 23 September /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today had a meeting with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors. The officials discussed the intercultural cohesion in Moldova and promotion of efficient policies to back the national minorities, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.   

In the beginning of the meeting, the prime minister thanked the representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe for assistance and expertise provided during time, to order to work out strategic documents on development and social integration of national minorities.

“Moldova is a multi-ethnical state, and from this viewpoint, we rely on and appreciate very much the cooperation and support provided by OSCE to ensure social cohesion, promote tolerance and develop a strong society,” Pavel Filip stressed.

At the meeting, the officials paid special attention to the national strategy of strengthening the inter-ethnic relations in Moldova – a document developed with the support of HCNM experts.

In this respect, the prime minister stressed that the draft strategy had been already submitted to the Council of Europe to undergo expertise. “Immediately we receive the notification from the Council of Europe, we will insist on the promotion of the document. At the same time, we will take the needed efforts, so that the adopted act be comprehensive and takes into account the best international practices in the national minorities field,” Pavel Filip said.  

For her part, Astrid Thors voiced hope that the strategy would be passed as soon as possible, highlighting that ensuring social tolerance was up-to-date for the entire Europe. “The adoption of the Strategy would be an important step for Moldova,” the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities stressed.    

The dialogue also regarded the support provided by OSCE in terms of studying by the national minorities of the official language, cooperation with the authorities of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and central public administration reform.   

(Editor A. Raileanu)