The importance of regional cooperation as a tool for addressing the current challenges and mitigating the impact of the war across the region as well as for further promoting the EU integration process was at the core of the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the CEI Parliamentary Dimension, held in Chisinau on 22-24 May under the Moldovan CEI Presidency for 2023.
Parliamentary delegations from the CEI Member States exchanged views and experiences on the impact of war on global energy markets and international energy security. They highlighted the need for strengthening cooperation in promoting energy market reforms according to European rules and international commitments. This, in order to diversify energy sources and promote energy efficiency and renewable sources, also as a contribution to protecting consumers and fighting against energy poverty and climate change.
As regards the EU integration process, they shared the view that the CEI could provide a valuable platform to promote an exchange of expertise with parliaments of the candidate countries, to support them in adapting their national legislation to the EU acquis and accelerating their integration process, by designing new forms of cooperation and promoting citizens’ sense of belonging to Europe.
Opening remarks were delivered by Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of Moldova, and Igor Chiriac, President ad interim of the Moldovan Parliamentary delegation to the CEI Parliamentary Dimension.
CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione praised Moldova for taking over the CEI Chairmanship this year, despite the difficult circumstances, and expressed hope that this opportunity could be instrumental to the country in demonstrating its capacity and leadership, also in the light of its European integration process. A special welcome was expressed to the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, reiterating the CEI’s support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine as well as the CEI’enduring commitment to providing political support and concrete assistance to the country.
“In such a developing geopolitical scenario we should reflect on how the role of the CEI could become more effective in responding to the needs of our member countries and in further contributing to regional cooperation and multilateralism in Europe” he also stated, inviting all Parliamentary delegations to contribute to this endeavour.
The agenda of the meeting also included keynote speeches by Dumitru Alaiba, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization; Mihail Popşoi, Deputy President of the Parliament of Moldova; Doina Gherman, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration; Vladimir Cuc, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Cristina Pereteatcu, State Secretary, Ministry of Energy; Sergiu Tofilat, Energy expert; Valentin Arion, Professor, Technical University of Moldova.
The Joint Statement adopted by the meeting is available HERE.
For more info: fabro@cei.int
The Parliamentary Dimension, along with the Governmental, Economic and Local Dimensions, is positioned as one of the four pillars of the CEI. The Parliamentary Dimension includes several bodies: the Parliamentary Assembly; the Parliamentary Committee; the three General Committees (on Political and Home Affairs; on Economic Affairs; on Cultural Affairs). The annual chairmanship of the Parliamentary Dimension rotates according to the annual CEI Presidency.
