The European Union officially launched a twinning project on December 17, designed to bolster the institutional and administrative capacities of Moldova's Competition Council. This initiative, which will last for 27 months, is being implemented by the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection as a junior partner alongside competition authorities from Romania and Lithuania.

The project, titled 'Strengthening the Institutional Capacities of the Competition Council in Implementing Competition Policy and State Aid in Line with EU Best Practices,' aims to align Moldova's competition policies and regulations with European standards. The launch event gathered representatives from the EU Delegation in Moldova, competition authorities from Romania, Lithuania, and Poland, as well as members of the Moldovan Competition Council and various public institutions and business associations.

A key focus of the inauguration was Moldova's integration process with the EU, where competition policy is a significant negotiation chapter. Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Dumitru Alaiba emphasized the need for substantial support and collaboration between the business environment and institutions to achieve Moldova's EU membership goal.

Radu Marian, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget, and Finance, acknowledged the importance of competition in the EU accession process, stating that it is a central pillar of the European economy and free market. He highlighted the necessity for Moldova to intensively work on aligning with EU standards.

Julda Kielyte, leading the EU's team on competitive and inclusive growth in Moldova, noted that the project presents an opportunity for both the Competition Council and Moldova. She stressed that effective competition is fundamental for the functioning of the European market, ensuring fair conditions for businesses.

Alexei Gherțescu, Chairman of the Competition Council, expressed gratitude for the EU's support and the involvement of member states in the project. He pointed out that the success of the initiative relies on the engagement of all relevant stakeholders, including public authorities, civil society, and the business sector.

The twinning project, funded by the EU, not only provides Moldova with European expertise but also strengthens the role of the Competition Council as a regulator of effective market competition. This initiative is a crucial step towards modernizing Moldova's economic model and aligning it with EU values and standards.