EU CivCom delegates visit Chișinău and get acquainted with EU support for enhanced resilience of the Republic of Moldova

Chișinău, 22.11.2023 - The delegates of the EU Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) visited Chișinău and the headquarters of the newly established EU Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM) between 20 and 22 November.

This is the first visit of the Committee in the Republic of Moldova, only 5 months after the establishment of EUPM, the first ever EU civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission in the country. EUPM is the first EU CSDP mission with a mandate to increase resilience to hybrid threats and counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Additionally, it aims to strengthen crisis management capabilities and those meant to ensure cybersecurity. Its establishment confirms the EU's strong and overarching role as a security actor.

The representatives from the EU Member States had a first hand opportunity to meet the management and staff of the Mission. They received in-depth information regarding the implementation of the mandate, the activities and objectives achieved so far and the challenges encountered since the launch of the Mission in May.

The high level visit demonstrates the importance and strong support from the EU Member States for the Republic of Moldova on its way towards EU accession, for its increased security and resilience.

EUPM is an active player in ensuring enhanced coordination among international partners and stakeholders that support the security sector of the Republic of Moldova. CivCom delegates had the opportunity to meet the partner institutions from the Republic of Moldova who are the direct beneficiaries of EUPM support and the international stakeholders and partners with whom the Mission works.

In addition, the delegates met the EU Delegation in the country. They were briefed on the political situation, the developments towards EU accession and the integrated approach to cooperation with other EU stakeholders in the country.

CivCom also met the representatives of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM). They were briefed on the activities of the FRONTEX and Europol in the Republic of Moldova and discussed the main activities of the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova.

Background information

In line with the EU Strategic Compass and the EU Civilian CSDP Compact adopted in May 2023, the EU acts to become a stronger and more capable security provider, in order to protect its citizens and to contribute to international peace and security.

In a letter to the High Representative dated 28 January 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova invited the EU to deploy a civilian mission in the country. The Mission was established by the Council on 24 April.

The Mission was set up in record time, with full support from the EU Member States and EU institutions. 13 Member States contribute with permanent experts in the field of resilience to hybrid threats, cybersecurity and combatting Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Many more have committed to send visiting experts and to support training, exchanges of experience and best practices with experts of Republic of Moldova.

EUPM Moldova provides strategic level advice and operational support to strengthen the country's internal security sector. The main lines of action are:

1. Contributing to strengthening the crisis management capacities of the security sector of the Republic of Moldova
2. Assisting in enhancing the resilience to hybrid threats, especially cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference
3. Offering targeted operational support to the authorities of the Republic of Moldova through a project cell.

EUPM Moldova has an initial mandate of two years. Stefano Tomat, EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), is the Civilian Operation Commander. The Head of Mission is Cosmin Dinescu, a Romanian career diplomat with over 20 years of experience in international affairs.

CivCom

The EU Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Managementadvises the Political and Security Committee on civilian aspects of crisis management. It prepares planning documents of civilian CSDP missions and makes recommendations to the Political and Security Committee, and deals with the development of strategies and concepts for civilian crisis management and civilian capabilities.

The Committee is composed of representatives of EU Member States.

EUBAM

The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) works in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to promote European Union border management standards and procedures for a quicker crossing of people and goods, to enhance the professional capacities of the Moldovan and Ukrainian Customs and Border Authorities, to assist Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities in combating cross-border crime more efficiently, to act as a catalyst and bring together key stakeholders to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the border authorities and law enforcement agencies, and to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

EUBAM was launched in 2005. The legal basis for EUBAM is the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the European Commission and the Governments of Moldova and Ukraine on 7 October 2005. It is funded by the European Union within the context of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, and with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) acting as implementing partner. The current Mission's mandate is valid until 30 November 2023.

FRONTEX

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, supports EU Member States and Schengen-associated countries in the management of the EU's external borders and the fight against cross-border crime. Frontex is a centre of excellence for border control activities at the EU's external borders, sharing intelligence and expertise with all Member States and with neighbouring non-EU countries affected by migratory trends and cross-border crime. With the standing corps, the EU's first uniformed law enforcement service, Frontex has transformed into an operational arm of the EU.

Since March 2023, FRONTEX has started a Joint Operation in Republic of Moldova. The aim of the Joint Operation (JO) Moldova is to provide increased technical and operational assistance to the host country, by coordinating operational activities on the territory and under the control of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova.

EUROPOL

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol's mission is to support its Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organised crime, cybercrime and terrorism. Europol also works with many non-EU partner states and international organisations.

SECURITY HUB

The EU Support Hubfor Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova is an operational platform that supports cooperation on internal security and border management between the EU, its agencies, the Member States and the Moldovan authorities. It addresses 6 priority issues: trafficking in weapons and ammunition, trafficking in migrants, trafficking in human beings, preventing and combating terrorism and violet extremism, cybercrime and trafficking in drugs. The Hub is a regional operational mechanism for common expertise and analysis in view of strengthening the European security infrastructure. Two working groups were created: one on monitoring and countering hybrid threats, and the second on trafficking.

In September 2023, EUPM Moldova co-organised the first edition of the Hub to focus on Hybrid Threats.

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