The purpose of the visit is to establish a constructive dialog with the Moldovan authorities and share experiences in the field of drug policy.
Highlights of the visit include sharing experiences in the fight against drugs and analyzing the impact of drug policy on development, health and human rights in Moldova. Special attention is given to discussing the decriminalization of drug use and possession, as well as possible changes in Moldovan drug policy taking into account European integration.
On the first day, the commission met with the Prime Minister and discussed the following issues with the Moldovan Government:
1. Increasing the limit sizes of narcotic drugs for possession without the purpose of sale, for which criminal liability is incurred. And as the next stage – decriminalization of possession without the purpose of sale
2. Drug registry as a discriminatory practice towards people who use drugs.
3. Increasing access to OAT. Today, less than 5% of those who need OAT are taking OAT.
Also, the prospect of European integration imposes on Moldova obligations to harmonize legislation with European norms and standards, including with regard to human rights and access to justice.
Also on the agenda are important issues such as an overview of the situation in the region and the specifics of the situation in Moldova, plans for 2024 and ongoing work, as well as a meeting with representatives of civil society, local communities and authorities.
The composition of the ECECACD delegation:
Mr. Vytenis Andriukaitis (Head of Delegation)
Mr. Pavel Bem
Prof. Michel Kazatchkine
Mrs. Natalja Nikitenko
Mr. Andris Piebalgs
Mr. Volodymyr Tymoshenko
Ms. Olena Kucheruk (Secretary of the ECECACD)
President Kwasniewsky is not able to join the delegation but will be available for selected video calls.
This visit promises to strengthen cooperation and improve drug policy in the region.
The visit is organized with the support of the Alliance for Public Health, as part of #SoS_2.0
We would like to thank Initiativa Pozitiva, UNAIDS Moldova, Alla Yatko for their assistance in organizing the visit.
