EU Commissioner in Bălți

Bălți hosted a dialogue between local authorities and European Union officials yesterday. Several regional events were organized in the 'northern capital of the country', on the occasion of the official visit to the north of the Republic of Moldova by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The events took place at NORTEK Technology Transfer and Innovation Center within Alecu Russo State University of Bălți and brought together representatives of local public administration, business community, youth and regional press.

"The visit's agenda included thematic sessions such as EU dialogue with the youth from the northern region; EU dialogue with local entrepreneurs; meeting with mayors from the northern region. Bălți was represented by Mayor Alexandr Petkov, who welcomed the European delegation, emphasizing the importance of continued and efficient collaboration between local public authorities and European institutions. During the discussions, he presented European projects successfully implemented at the municipal level, as well as initiatives under planning stages, oriented toward infrastructure modernization, digitalization and sustainable development. The events of this visit reaffirm the essential role of Bălți municipality in strengthening cooperation with European institutions," Bălți city hall said.

During the meeting, business community representatives highlighted the challenges they face and the main needs for development. Among them were: investments in education to train specialists adapted to current market demands; the development of efficient irrigation systems, in the context of climate change which presents a major challenge for ensuring quality and competitive crops, the EU Delegation to Chișinău said.

"I am very fond of Moldova, because it reminds me of my country – which is even smaller than Moldova, but once it joined the EU, it managed to prosper," Marta Kos said.

Marta Kos is in the Republic of Moldova for three days. The official has visited Bălți, Edineț, Orhei, Ungheni, and will continue to Cahul and Comrat.