The Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) was established - a platform for unitary, consolidated and apolitical representation of all local public authorities from Moldova

The presidium of the CALM GA
“You are closest to the people and answering to the people's needs should be the first priority of any public authority, be it local or central”, declared Mr. Stefan Uritu, presidential counselor, addressing to the mayors present at the meeting.

On March 21, 2010 a General Assembly for the establishment of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) took place in Chisinau. The meeting was attended by about 300 mayors and representatives of local communities, leaders of most regional and national associations of local public authorities and leaders of the civil society and political parties. Mr. Filat Vladimir, the Prime Minister of the Republic and Mr. Stefan Uritu, the counselor of the Interim President and the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Mihail Ghimpu were all present at the Assembly. Also, there were present the representative of all parliamentary political parties - including those form opposition. There were also foreign guests present – Ms. Ginka Chavdarova, the Executive Director of the National Association of Municipalities from Bulgaria and representative of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South Eastern Europe (NALAS), Mr. Ionel Chirita, the Chairperson of the Association of Towns from Romania and Mr. Emil Draghici, the President of the Association of Communes from Romanian.

The National League of the Associations of Mayors from Moldova (NLAMM), one of NALAS founders, was the initiator of this process of consolidation of the associative sector of LGs in Moldova, becoming one of the founders of CALM. It was decided also that NLAMM will be further replaced and represented by CALM in all the relations with NALAS and other international organizations.

Local officials gathered on this occasion highlighted the current and pressing issues facing the local governments and the necessity of consolidation and creation of an organization such as CALM. Possible solutions were also discussed, which were later included in a Declaration of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova. The statute of CALM was adopted and the leading bodies of the association were elected. The mayor of Selemet (Cimislia), Mrs. Tatiana Badan was elected as a President of CALM, while Mr. Furdui Viorel was appointed as Executive Director of the newly created association. Among vice presidents of CALM was elected Mr. Chirtioaca Dorin, the mayor of the capital of Moldova, the Chisinau municipality.

It needs to be mentioned that NALAS and its member associations had an important role in supporting this process. The leadership of CALM expressed their gratitude to NALAS and especially to Mr. Tarzan Milosevici, Mr. Vladimir Moskov, Mr. Kelmend Zajazi and all NALAS team and member associations.

This event presented e very high interest, having very good mass-media coverage, being reflected on all major TV channels and paper publications.

Declaration of CALM

Press Release

Media coverage: PRO TV Chisinau | TRM