Nina Cereteu, Mayor of Drochia, provided explanations for the draft decision on the voluntary unification of the villages of Miciurin, Tarigrad, Chetrosu, as well as the communes of Baroncea and Suri. She stressed that the association does not imply the closure of the city halls, but opens a dialogue for residents of these settlements.

"From a legal point of view, this decision does not mean that starting tomorrow all city halls will be closed and only the Drochia City Hall remains. This is a long-term process involving many consultations in each city hall, in each village with residents," Cereteu said, naming at least five stages of discussions.

According to her, the proposed merger does not lead to job losses, but is aimed at a more efficient organization of human resources.

"City halls do not close, their employees do not lose their jobs. The only positions that are disappearing are the posts of the mayor and the Secretary of the Council, since after the merger one new Council and one new mayor will be elected. All other specialists retain their positions. Residents will decide who will become the mayor of the new administrative-territorial unit after unification," she stressed.

One of the arguments presented in favor of voluntary association is the opportunity for communities to reorganize and receive incentives for development from the state and development partners of the Republic of Moldova.

"A voluntary association is more beneficial for settlements than a regulatory association. It provides for more incentives from the government and development partners, including support throughout the process, assistance in developing strategic documents, project implementation, and access to additional sources of financing," Cereteu explained.

The Mayor of Drochia recalled that the administrative and territorial reform should be completed by 2027. She called on local authorities to act actively in the interests of their communities.

The law on the voluntary unification of administrative-territorial units, which defines the procedure for the unification of city halls, the bodies responsible for approving and coordinating the process, as well as the forms of state support for this reform, was adopted in July 2023.