On August 15, about 140 specialists of the Ministry of Finance and subordinated institutions – Customs Service, State Tax Service, Financial Inspection, Public Procurement Agency, Center for Information Technologies in Finance, State Chamber for Marking Supervision and Office for Management of External Assistance Projects, participated in the workshop "Public Finance – Engine of European Integration", organised with the support of the European Union High Level Advisers Mission. 

In the opening of the event, Minister of Finance Veronica Sireteanu spoked about the crucial role played by the Ministry of Finance in the process of aligning national legislation with EU norms, expressing her appreciation for the successful cooperation between all stakeholders.

"Accession to the EU is associated with many changes, some long-awaited, others painful, others courageous, others necessary. The Ministry of Finance has a very important role in this path, while ensuring the stability and integrity of the country's financial system in close correlation with the objectives of the Public Finance Management Strategy," said Mrs. Sireteanu.

For his part, EU High Adviser on Customs and Tax Policy Rosario De Blasio stressed: "In March 2023, Moldova went through its second assessment, building on the knowledge and experience gained from long-standing close cooperation with the European Union. The results of this assessment are crucial for Moldova to continue pursuing the path of European integration. This requires significant efforts and very strong motivation."

The workshop was moderated by the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry, Mrs. Ana Luca, during which she had an interactive discussion with the State Secretaries of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Olga Golban, Mr. Ion Gumene and Mr. Vladimir Arachelov and the EU High Counselor Rosario de Blasio, regarding the progress made by the Ministry of Finance in this process, as well as the actions to be taken, by areas of competence.

Thus, the participants in the event reviewed the current stage of the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova, with an increased emphasis on the eight chapters of the acquis communautaire, in which the Ministry of Finance has a leading role: free movement of capital; Procurement; financial services; economic and monetary policy; Taxation; economic and monetary policy; customs union; financial control; financial and budgetary provisions.

Also, those present at the event had the opportunity to test their knowledge about the country's European integration process, participating in a dynamic quiz of questions and answers, which included technical aspects and various curiosities related to each chapter of the EU acquis, managed by the Ministry. 

Such opportunities are important for the Ministry of Finance in order to maintain and strengthen the knowledge of all those directly involved in the EU accession process, thus increasing the implementation of reforms.