On 7 August 2015, a second expert visit to Chisinau took place as part of the European Union and Council of Europe project: “Strengthening the efficiency of justice and support to lawyers’ profession in the Republic of Moldova”.

This was a follow-up to the assessment visit, which had taken place in June. The objective of the visit was to discuss and agree on a road map for the implementation of the experts’ recommendations.

The meeting was opened by the President of the Moldovan Bar Association, Mrs Nina Loza, who spoke of her appreciation of the joint EU-Council of Europe support; the importance of the expertise received and encouraged her colleagues to fully benefit from it.

During the meeting the experts presented their findings and recommendations, this was followed by sectorial interactive workshops with exchanges and debates on the priorities of reforms on lawyers continuous training, the management of the Bar Association, lawyers’ ethics and discipline, clients’ privacy protection in disciplinary procedures against lawyers.

The President of the Moldovan Bar Association, members of the Association’s Council and Commissions, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Women Lawyers Association, Young Lawyers Association, Lawyers for Lawyers Group and others actively engaged in consultations and debates. As a result, the multi-faceted analysis of the most stringent issues of the lawyers’ self-governance enabled an agreement on optimum ways to modernise internal procedures and institutions. This will be reflected in a road map for changes required to bring the Moldovan Bar Association closer to best European practices and applicable Council of Europe standards in the area. In the coming months, the project will continue to support Moldovan colleagues with the implementation of the road map.

The component on the "Support to the Moldovan Bar Association" of the "Strengthening the efficiency of justice and support to lawyers' profession in the Republic of Moldova" project is funded by the Programmatic Cooperation Framework for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. The Council of Europe and European Union are working in partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus to help them meet Council of Europe benchmarks in human rights, democracy and the rule of law and improve the lives of citizens.