Fair hearings without waiting, a meaningful response to hate crime and institutions that support those seeking protection from discrimination or violence. These are everyday expectations driving the joint efforts of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Republic of Moldova. At the Local Steering Committee meeting of the “Partnership for Good Governance” held today in Chișinău, representatives of national institutions and their European partners reviewed results achieved and outlined future priorities.
A justice system that works for people
People of the Republic of Moldova can increasingly rely on a justice system that resolves their cases promptly and fairly. The work began by identifying where the system falls short. Courts now evaluate their performance ensuring alignment to European standards, giving authorities a clear picture of where cases proceed smoothly and where they stall. National authorities are also putting in place a dedicated mechanism to reduce backlogs and delays. The new Law on Mediation offers a faster and less demanding way to resolve disputes, making justice more accessible and relieving pressure on courts. Recognising that a well-functioning system depends on the people who run it, the Human Resources Strategy 2025–2030 places equal opportunities, gender equality and sustainable working conditions at the core of how the judiciary manages its staff.
Stronger defence against economic crime
The Republic of Moldova has made meaningful progress by adopting the National Anti-Money Laundering Programme 2026–2030, creating a roadmap accompanied with a set of concrete steps to prevent and combat money laundering and terrorist financing. More than 1 600 professionals from banks, other reporting entities and supervisory bodies have developed the skills to identify and address money laundering risks. A legal framework for crypto-asset asset providers has been adopted, leaving criminals fewer gaps to exploit. An updated version of the Anti-Money Laundering Law was developed to comply with the international and EU standards.
Tackling hate crime and protecting marginalised communities
Legal professionals from national judicial institutions have strengthened their skills in handling hate crime cases, so that victims of discrimination and hate speech have their cases handled with the attention they merit. Recognising that protection also depends on trust, a dedicated dialogue platform now brings together, for the first time at national level, police, Roma community leaders, mediators and civil society organisations to discuss concerns openly. The programme has also reached people that were most easily overlooked. The first national and regional study on the needs of LGBTI persons in detention gives prison and justice authorities practical recommendations to keep them safe and help them reintegrate into society after release.
Advancing women’s access to justice
Professionals across the justice system are increasingly equipped to recognise and address the barriers women face when seeking justice. Participants in the EU and Council of Europe mentoring programme on women’s access to justice have gone on to train law enforcement officers handling cases of violence against women and domestic violence. To make these changes last, the National Institute of Justice has committed to further integrating gender equality into initial and in-service training for judges and prosecutors. The country’s experience is also making an impact beyond its borders: earlier this year, an international conference on gender-sensitive judicial training with counterparts from the Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans and EU member states, was held in Chisinau.
The meeting recognised that these results provide a solid basis for continued co-operation. As the “Partnership for Good Governance” is preparing for its fourth phase the European Union, the Council of Europe and national partners will keep working together to support reforms in the Republic of Moldova and its EU accession path.
Republic of Moldova country page on "Partnership for Good Governance" website
Information about the "Partnership for Good Governance" joint programme
Council of Europe Office in Chisinau website
This event is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.
