Commissioner Jessika Roswall in Chisinau: Environmental policies directly affect people’s lives
The environmental chapter plays a crucial role in the European integration process. It is significant not only because it aligns with European Union legislation but also because of its direct impact on people's lives. This was stated by Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, during her first official visit to the Republic of Moldova on Monday, June 29.
In a video message from the monument to Stephen the Great and Saint in the center of the capital, Jessika Roswall expressed her happiness about being in Chisinau to discuss important environmental policies.
“I am very pleased to be in the beautiful city of Chisinau. I have just participated in the Green Finance and Investment Forum. I will meet with the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Environment. We will discuss accession to the European Union, with a particular focus on the environmental chapter. This includes the development of adequate legislation, implementation capacity, and financing. These issues are crucial not only for EU legislation but also for the well-being of our citizens. They pertain to public health, competitiveness, job creation, and ensuring access to clean water and air” the European Commissioner stated.
Jessika Roswall will be visiting the Republic of Moldova from June 29 to 30. According to the Delegation of the European Union in Chișinău, her agenda will include meetings with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, as well as with representatives of the government, environmental NGOs, and leaders of youth and women's organizations.
On Tuesday, the Commissioner will travel to Căpriana, where she will visit the wastewater treatment plant, the new sewage network, and the Căpriana Monastery, which is connected to this network.
During a meeting with President Maia Sandu, discussions centered on efforts to combat climate change, improve water access, invest in renewable energy, promote afforestation, and enhance waste management. Additionally, the conversation addressed the need to strengthen the administrative capacities of institutions responsible for these areas.
President Sandu welcomed the recognition of the Republic of Moldova as a cooperating country with the European Environment Agency and expressed gratitude for the EU's ongoing support. She also emphasized that Moldova is prepared to begin accession negotiations across all groups of chapters and clusters, including Cluster IV, which focuses on the "Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity," encompassing Chapter 27.
The Moldova Green Finance and Investment Forum is being organized for the first time as an annual platform. Its goal is to align the Republic of Moldova's development priorities with available financial instruments and implementation capacities, thereby supporting the country's convergence with European sustainability standards.
In his speech at the meeting, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu emphasized that today, a nation's wealth is not only measured by the natural resources it extracts but also by its ability to protect those resources and create value while using fewer inputs. In the past, investors focused solely on factory production; now they also consider resource consumption, recycling rates, energy efficiency, and preparedness for future challenges.
The Prime Minister highlighted that, as Moldova works toward European Union accession, environmental policies are becoming increasingly important. He expressed the desire for the Republic of Moldova to be among the countries that excel in efficiency and waste management. Additionally, he stated that the government's vision views green investments not only as efforts to protect the environment but also as crucial to the country’s economic future.
The meeting includes decision-makers, European institutions, international and local financial organizations, investors, and representatives from the banking sector and business community.
