OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in Moldova, encourages adoption of integration strategy and dialogue on Gagauz autonomy

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors welcomed the fact that the new Moldovan government is moving ahead with the process to adopt the Strategy on Integration of National Minorities for the Republic of Moldova.

During her visit from 20 to 24 April 2015, Thors said it was positive that a draft document had been submitted for public consultations, adding that she was looking forward to its adoption and underlining that it should be accompanied by a concrete action plan with dedicated resources. She said that a balanced integration policy based on continued respect for minority rights would contribute to social cohesion and stability in the country.

The authorities in Chisinau and Comrat and the High Commissioner agreed to co‑operate closely on measures to improve the functioning of Gagauzia’s autonomy. In Comrat, she also launched a new project to promote the simultaneous learning of the state and the Gagauz languages in primary schools for children and their parents.

She also had the opportunity to visit ANTEM (the Association of European Teachers of Moldova), which teaches the state language to public sector employees from a national minority background. In the ten years that the HCNM has been supporting the project, ANTEM has trained over 4,300 adults.

Thors also discussed other issues related to her mandate, including recent reforms in the education system that have raised concerns among minority communities, as well as the longstanding issue of Latin-script schools in Transdniestria. While she welcomed steps taken last year within the 5+2 process to resolve a number of practical issues, she recommended that further efforts be made to negotiate a sustainable solution that would allow the normal functioning of the schools pending a final settlement of the conflict.