Romania and the Republic of Moldova have set up a joint working group of tourism experts to carry out bilateral projects in the relevant area, as well as the transfer of know-how regarding the best practice models implemented in each country.

According to a press release of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MAT), the meeting for the establishment of the joint working group took place on Thursday, at the Culture Ministry in Chisinau, prior to the official opening of the Republic of Moldova's tourism fair - "Tourism & Travel Expo," at which Romania is present with a national pavilion.

"One of our priorities is to strengthen the existing ties between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in the tourism area, including through encouraging cooperation between the relevant industries of the two countries. We can achieve this, in the first instance, by establishing a framework to facilitate permanent dialogue in order to coordinate the necessary measures. A first step was taken today - a joint working group of tourism experts from our country and across the Pruth River was set up," Minister of Entrepreneurship and Tourism Constantin-Daniel Cadariu stated.

At the basis of the establishment of the working group is the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, approved by Government Decision No. 422/2019 and agreed by both parties in order to develop a close cooperation between official tourism bodies. One of the objectives of the act is to increase tourism exchanges and mutual promotion, including through the exchange of advertising materials and information.

The agenda of bilateral consultations thus refers to the undertaking of coherent and coordinated measures for capitalizing on the cultural, spa and religious tourism, the detailed presentation of legislation and regulations relevant to the area, as well as the achievement of investment projects of common interest. Furthermore, it was agreed to establish a calendar of events, which will be organized to promote the cultural heritage of the two countries.

The working group is made up of appointed members of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, experts in the relevant legislation, the development of cultural tourism routes, Destination Management Organizations, marketing, as well as experts in making investments in tourism. They were joined by counterparts from across the Pruth River, from the Culture Ministry, which also manages the tourism portfolio.

The set up of the working group is also a first step towards the organization of the joint intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the MAT mentioned. AGERPRES (RO - editor: Andreea Marinescu; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Cristina Zaharia)