A mechanism of Parliamentary oversight for coordinating efforts of all institutions in the process of European integration was discussed on 18 May 2016. The workshop was organized by the UNDP in Moldova, in partnership with the European Union, within the project “Improving the quality of Moldovan democracy through parliamentary and electoral support”, financed by the Government of Sweden. The event was attended by members of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, members of European Parliament, international experts, civil society and development partners’ representatives.

Hence, the Parliament, which is the expression of people’s will, will verify all draft bills for EU conformity. The purpose is to promote public policies which will create a legal framework for economic, social and cultural activities for the benefit of Moldovan citizens.

In this regard, the participants at the debate welcomed the establishment of the Parliamentary Council for European Integration, as a first step towards ensuring Parliamentary oversight. Valentina Buliga, the Chair of the Standing Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration, emphasized that it was for the first time when the chairs of all Parliamentary committees, under the coordination of the Speaker, will work together to verify all draft bills registered in the Parliament from the EU conformity perspective.

Andi Cristea, member of the European Parliament, Head of the Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee, said that all European MPs present at the workshop come from countries which had undergone a lengthy harmonization processes, and this pathway can only be successful if all institutions unite their efforts to promote reforms to meet the expectations of citizens.

The Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova Signe Burgstaller said that the EU expects for a swift implementation of the Association Agreement and that the Republic of Moldova will benefit from the support of her country in this process. Her Excellency highlighted the importance of enforcing the adopted legislation, as well as of the monitoring by the Parliament.

Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Moldova Deputy Resident Representative, also noted the support needed for the development of legislative oversight capacities of the Parliament.

The participants at the workshop exchanged experiences and views on the importance of Parliamentary oversight in the process of European integration, and also discussed the Parliamentary oversight mechanism proposed by UNDP.