OSCE High Commissioner urges Moldova to implement integration strategy and encourages dialogue in joint working group on Gagauzia

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier is visiting Moldova from 30 October to 3 November 2017 to continue the institution’s long-standing engagement with the country on issues related to ethnic diversity and identity. 

In Chișinău, the High Commissioner urged Moldova’s government to start implementing its Strategy on the Consolidation of Inter-Ethnic Relations, including by adopting the Action Plan and providing financial resources. The High Commissioner also encouraged the authorities to support national minorities’ access to quality teaching of the State language and to education in minority languages. 

“Moldova’s rich ethnic diversity is an asset. To strengthen the integration and resilience of society, I encourage the authorities to strike a careful balance between promoting the State language and protecting minority languages and cultures,” Zannier said. He added that he was ready to provide assistance to this end.

In Chișinău and in Comrat, the High Commissioner welcomed resumed dialogue in the joint working group of the Moldovan Parliament and the People’s Assembly of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. He encouraged all sides to use the working group as a platform for a long-term constructive dialogue between Chișinău and Comrat to harmonize Moldova’s legislation with the 1994 Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia and to improve the functioning of the autonomy by clearly defining its competencies.

Zannier also took note of concerns of representatives of national minorities regarding recent changes to the electoral system. He urged the authorities to promote the representation of national minorities in the public sector and their access to the justice system. 

The High Commissioner met, among others, President Igor Dodon, Prime Minister Pavel Filip, Speaker of the Parliament Adrian Candu, Education Minister Monica Babuc, the Bashkan (Governor) of Gagauzia Iryna Vlah and representatives of national minorities and civil society in Moldova.