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EU Twinning Project - Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau (2026)

27/04/2026

April 27, 2026 - The Communication Department and the Unit of Information Resources of the Moldovan Parliament participated in the workshop on the Citizens’ Survey. The workshop focused on the Citizens’ Survey and on strengthening parliamentary openness, public communication and engagement with citizens in the context of Moldova’s EU accession process.

During the session, experts from the Hungarian National Assembly, the Hellenic Parliament Library and the Romanian Parliament shared practical experiences and examples of how parliaments can become more open, accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs.

The discussions covered several important topics, including the Open Parliament approach during the EU integration process, outreach activities of parliamentary libraries, civil society engagement, and practical exercises on improving openness and communication with the public.

The activity provided a useful opportunity to exchange good practices and reflect on how the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova can further strengthen its communication with citizens and promote a more transparent and participatory parliamentary process.

27/04/2026

April 27, 2026 - Learning from Practice | Inquiry Committees in the Moldovan Parliament

Today, the Twinning experts had a meeting with the parliamentary staff who organize and coordinate the Inquiry/Investigative Committees at the Moldovan Parliament. As a case study, the participants discussed and exchanged views about the Inquiry Committee on Environmental Pollution.

Overall, the discussion focused on the practical experience of establishing and running an inquiry committee: the procedural steps, the challenges encountered, the lessons learned, and the institutional implications of this form of parliamentary oversight.

Inquiry committees are one of the most powerful tools a parliament has to hold the executive accountable and investigate matters of public concern. Understanding how they work — from the inside — is exactly the kind of knowledge transfer that strengthens democratic institutions. 🇲🇩🇪🇺

27/04/2026

April 27, 2026 - Today, as part of the project "Strengthening the Capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its Role in the EU Accession Process," we held a workshop on establishing a structured peer-to-peer review methodology for EU-related draft legislation.

Participants were introduced to the analytical framework, roles, classification system, and output structure of the methodology — followed by a hands-on demonstration exercise reviewing selected legislative articles and identifying key issues.

Building the internal capacity to review and align national legislation with EU standards is not a technical exercise — it is a democratic and institutional imperative as Moldova advances on its EU accession path. 🇲🇩🇪🇺

24/04/2026

As part of the study visit to Athens, held on 18–23 April 2026 under the project “Strengthening the capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its role in the EU Accession Process,” the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova participated in a briefing/training on the Eurovoc platform, delivered by Ms. Eleni Kiousi, Head of the Directorate for Parliamentary Control.

The session focused on the use of Eurovoc as a tool for parliamentary documentation, classification, and information management, supporting more efficient access to parliamentary materials and strengthening institutional capacities.

24/04/2026

As part of the study visit to Athens, held on 18–23 April 2026 under the project “Strengthening the capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its role in the EU Accession Process,” the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova held a technical meeting with the Head of the Department of Parliamentary Archives and the Deputy Head of the General Directorate for Electronic Administration, Library and Publications.

The discussion focused on documentation and digitalization of parliamentary work archives, with particular attention to the minutes of parliamentary control procedures, digitalization tools, the use of AI, and the importance of inter-parliamentary networking through IFLA.

24/04/2026

As part of the study visit to Athens, held on 18–23 April 2026 under the project “Strengthening the capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its role in the EU Accession Process,” the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova held a productive meeting with the Chair and members of the Special Standing Committee on the Financial Statement and the General Balance Sheet and the implementation of the State Budget. The Moldovan delegation was represented by MPs: Ana Calinici, MP, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Integration, and Tatiana Rotari, MP, Secretary of the Committee on Public Finance Oversight, and members of the Secretariat.

The discussion focused on parliamentary oversight of public finances, the role of specialized committees in monitoring the implementation of the State Budget, and the exchange of experience with the Hellenic Parliament in strengthening transparency and accountability.

24/04/2026

As part of the study visit to Athens, held on 18–23 April 2026 under the project “Strengthening the capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its role in the EU Accession Process,” the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova held a productive meeting with Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, 1st Vice Chairman of the Hellenic Parliament and Chair of the Special Standing Committee for European Affairs, together with members of the Committee. The Moldovan delegation was represented by MPs: Ana Calinici, MP, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Integration, and Tatiana Rotari, MP, Secretary of the Committee on Public Finance Oversight, and members of the Secretariat: Evelina Bubuioc, Head of General Department for Parliamentary Documentation; Dorin Barcari, Secretariat of the Committee for Economy, Budget, and Finance; Mihai Gheorghies, Secretariat of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Appointments and Immunities; Victoria Maxim, Secretariat of the European Integration Committee; Elena Condorachi, Secretariat of the European Integration Committee; and Victor Besleaga, Head of Directorate for Assistance and Development, RTA Counterpart

The discussion focused on the role of parliamentary committees in the European integration process, the exchange of experience with the Hellenic Parliament, and opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Moldova and Greece.

10/04/2026

The Twinning Project team extends its warmest wishes for a peaceful Easter period to all who celebrate. 🌿🌸

As the Republic of Moldova continues its path toward European Union accession, may the spirit of unity, solidarity, and renewal guide us toward a stable and prosperous future.

Warm wishes for this time of reflection and hope. ✨

25/03/2026

March 23, 2026 - Public Consultations on the Draft of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Moldova

On 23 March, the Legal Committee for Appointments and Immunities held public consultations on the draft Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Moldova — a document that shapes how democracy works in practice. The Rules of Procedure of the Parliament is an issue that Brussels is following closely. Progress in adopting the Rules of Procedure is essential for the effective functioning of democratic institutions, particularly in the context of EU accession. Since the beginning of the Twinning Project, one of the core activities is the comprehensive assessment of the Rules of Procedure and the development of concrete amendment proposals to further strengthen the institutional capacity, efficiency and transparency of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Clear and transparent procedures make legislative work more predictable, strengthen accountability, and enable Parliament to efficiently process the significant volume of EU-related legislation ahead — this being especially relevant as the Moldovan Parliament prepares for the substantial task of adopting over 300 EU-related laws by the end of this year. At the same time, fair and balanced procedural rules safeguard political pluralism, encourage constructive dialogue, and ensure meaningful cooperation with the opposition.

The discussion was broad and substantive, bringing together political parties, civil society organisations, independent media representatives, and local government experts. Here are the key themes raised:
🔹 Floor-crossing (traseism) — participants called for stronger safeguards against deputies switching political affiliations after elections.
🔹 Language of work — Romanian was reaffirmed as the working language of Parliament. Concerns were raised about the quality and funding of Russian-language translation services.
🔹 Division of powers — clarity was requested on the roles of committees, factions, the plenary, and the Permanent Bureau, including how debate time is allocated.
🔹 Opposition rights — multiple voices stressed that authentic democracy requires a functioning opposition: the right to investigate, access information, present separate reports, and not have speaking time arbitrarily limited. An authentic democracy is when the opposition can work.
🔹 Relationship with local public administration (APL) — several articles were flagged as outdated or unclear, particularly those governing Parliament's oversight of local authorities. Article 171, which grants Parliament the right to dissolve local councils, was widely contested as violating the principle of local autonomy.
🔹 Civil society participation — concerns were raised about passive consultation mechanisms, lack of transparency, and the need to formally integrate the public participation law into the Rules of Procedure. Use of the particip.gov.md platform was encouraged.
🔹 Lobbying and advocacy — a dedicated framework is being developed, with references to ongoing work with international partners.
🔹The lack of clear timing regulation within parliamentary proceedings — including fixed voting hours, allocated speaking time, time for debates, questions, etc. The revised Rules of Procedure are expected to establish a formal framework to address these shortcomings.
🔹The Government Hour will be formally scheduled in the Rules of Procedure. The framing here is politically pointed — the implication being that by fixing a dedicated Government Hour in the Rules of Procedure, the majority aims to channel opposition scrutiny into a structured format and reduce the grounds or pressure for censure motions.
🔹 Parliamentary control and EU integration — the role of Parliament in Moldova's European integration path was highlighted as needing stronger and more explicit framing in the new code.

The consultation underlined broad consensus on one point: the Rules of Procedure must not serve the majority alone — they must guarantee space for opposition, civil society, and citizens to meaningfully participate in legislative life.

Parlamentul Republicii Moldova

17/03/2026

March 17, 2026 - Steering Committee Meeting No. 5

Today marked an important milestone in the governance of the Twinning Project "Strengthening the Capacities of the Moldovan Parliament and its Role in the EU Accession Process", as the project partners convened for the 5th Steering Committee meeting — the principal forum for oversight, accountability and strategic direction of this EU-funded initiative.

The Steering Committee brought together representatives of the Moldovan Parliament and the consortium countries (Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungary and Austria), providing a structured space to take stock of progress, discuss challenges encountered in implementation, and chart the course for the months ahead.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a comprehensive review of the period December 2025 – March 2026, during which the project has been particularly active. Participants reflected on the results and milestones achieved during this period, including the delivery of a series of technical workshops, meetings, expert missions, study visits and capacity-building sessions targeting Members of Parliament and Secretariat staff across a range of EU integration themes — from ex-ante evaluation and parliamentary oversight to legislative planning, budget oversight, etc. The Steering Committee acknowledged the progress made while also engaging candidly with the challenges encountered along the way, including questions of institutional coordination, scheduling, and ensuring the sustained engagement of parliamentary stakeholders amid a busy legislative calendar.

The meeting also looked forward, with a detailed discussion of the planned activities and priority actions for the next implementation period. The partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the momentum built over recent months and ensuring that the project's outputs translate into lasting institutional capacity within the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for June 2026.

17/03/2026

March 17, 2026 - Workshop on Parliamentary Control Means and Best EU Member State Practices

Today, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova hosted another hands-on workshop as part of the Twinning Project, gathering the Secretariat staff for an in-depth session on one of the cornerstones of democratic governance: parliamentary oversight and control.

The workshop took the form of expert briefings delivered to the parliamentary staff, focusing on the full spectrum of oversight functions that a parliament exercises vis-à-vis the executive — and on the concrete tools available to exercise them effectively. Participants had the opportunity to explore how parliamentary control works in practice across EU Member States, with detailed presentations drawing on the experience and established practices of three national parliaments: the Hellenic Parliament of Greece, the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, and the Romanian Parliament.

The presentations walked participants through the traditional means of parliamentary control — including questions and interpellations, hearings, inquiries, motions and resolutions, committee scrutiny and budgetary oversight — illustrating how each tool is used in different institutional contexts and what makes them effective. The comparative perspective offered by the Greek, Italian and Romanian examples allowed participants to see not only the formal rules, but the living culture of accountability that sustains meaningful oversight in mature parliamentary democracies. Particular attention was given to specific cases and precedents, bringing to life the mechanics of how parliaments hold governments accountable in real legislative and political situations.

Why does this matter?

A parliament that can pass laws is important. A parliament that can hold the government accountable for how those laws are implemented is essential. Parliamentary oversight is the mechanism through which citizens, through their elected representatives, ensure that executive power is exercised transparently, lawfully and in the public interest. As Moldova deepens its EU integration process, strengthening oversight capacity is not optional — it is a core requirement of democratic governance and a key benchmark on the accession path. Learning from the experience of Member States that have developed robust oversight cultures over decades gives the Moldovan Parliament a practical, tested foundation to build on — accelerating the process of institutional reform and reinforcing public trust in democratic institutions.

This activity was organized under Component 2.

Parlamentul Republicii Moldova

17/03/2026

March 17, 2026 - Workshop "From Accession to Membership: Legislative Planning Procedures and Institutional Practice"

Today, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova continued its intensive programme of institutional capacity building under the Twinning Project with a workshop dedicated to one of the most practical — and often underestimated — dimensions of EU integration: legislative planning and parliamentary agenda management. The session brought together Members of Parliament and Secretariat staff for a rich exchange with Greek and Romanian experts, combining substantive presentations with an open Q&A session that allowed participants to engage directly with the speakers and explore how the lessons shared might be applied in the Moldovan context.

The workshop opened with a focus on improved forward planning of the parliamentary agenda, with particular emphasis on legal approximation with the EU acquis — the vast body of European law that candidate countries are required to adopt and implement as part of the accession process. Experts presented good practices on parliamentary agenda management drawn from EU Member State experience, illustrating how legislatures organise their workload strategically, sequence legislative priorities, coordinate across committees and build in structured timelines for stakeholder consultation and public participation.

A central highlight of the session was an in-depth look at annual legislative planning in the European Union and, specifically, the 2026 European Commission Work Programme — the document that sets out the legislative and policy initiatives the Commission intends to advance over the coming year. Understanding the Commission's agenda is increasingly important for the Moldovan Parliament, as it provides both a roadmap of upcoming EU legislation to be approximated and an early signal of where institutional preparation efforts should be concentrated.

Effective forward planning of parliamentary work is a critical prerequisite for high-quality legislation, meaningful stakeholder participation, and efficient alignment with the European Union acquis. In the context of Moldova's EU accession process, parliamentary agenda planning must increasingly reflect approximation priorities, legislative sequencing requirements, inter-committee coordination, and structured consultation timelines. Strengthening planning mechanisms supports not only legislative quality and transparency but also institutional predictability and administrative readiness."

Why does this matter?

Moldova's EU accession is not only a political process — it is a legislative marathon. Hundreds of laws must be drafted, reviewed, approximated and adopted in alignment with European standards, within demanding timeframes and with meaningful public participation. Without a structured, forward-looking approach to parliamentary planning, this process risks becoming reactive, fragmented and inefficient. By investing in planning capacity now — learning from the systems already in place in EU Member States and aligning the parliamentary agenda with the Commission's own work programme — the Moldovan Parliament is building the institutional muscle it will need not just to reach membership, but to function effectively once inside the European Union.

This activity was organized under Component 3.

Parlamentul Republicii Moldova

EU Twinning Project - Parliament of the Republic of Moldova

27/04/2026

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