Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Creation of the Moldovan Economic and Social Committee

The memorandum builds on the European Economic and Social Committee's Opinion on institutionalising civil and social dialogue in candidate and partner countries. Signatories commit to promoting the piloting and creation of CESM together with European institutions, EU member states and national authorities, and to coordinating action, facilitating dialogue between civil society, trade unions, employers and decision-makers, and involving as many organisations as possible.

CESM is meant to be a permanent consultation platform based on parity between social partners and civil society, strengthening participatory, transparent and accountable governance. Liliana Palihovici, Co-chair of the EU–Moldova Civil Society Platform, called it a strategic step that could build trust between authorities and civil society and raise public support for the European path. The memorandum remains open to other interested actors. The event was part of the Civil Society for European Integration project, funded by the EU and co-funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova.