Following the adoption of a new legislative framework governing access to information, the Council of Europe is supporting the Government of Moldova in its thorough implementation process. Throughout 11th and 15th of March, an additional 130 civil servants from 70 public institutions and agencies have been trained on the implications of the new law and the challenges encountered in the first three months of its implementation.

The new Law on Access to Information of Public Interest has entered into force on 8th of January 2024, and it has introduced numerous changes to the ways in which the public is able to access information managed by public institutions, in alignment with European standards and the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, particularly in aspects such as proactive transparency requirements, deadline and communication regulations, judicial review models and financial sanctions. To this end, civil servants were guided by the Council of Europe international and national experts, who were directly involved in the drafting of the law, in ensuring a faithful interpretation and application of the law’s principles, underlining the new modus operandi.

The Council of Europe is a committed partner of the Government of Moldova in supporting the access to information efforts. Over 300 civil servants and judges have been trained on the implications of the new law on access to information throughout the past months. In addition, a comprehensive handbook and commentary of the law has been developed to assist public institutions, and further support is being provided on policy and methodological support concerning access to information.

The activity was organised in the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Support for Media Pluralism and Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Moldova.”