The agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on border management cooperation between Moldovan border guards and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), which was signed in Brussels on March 17, 2022, was ratified by Moldova’s Parliament, IPN reports.

To support the Moldovan authorities to address the challenges related to the Ukrainian refugee crisis and the growing risk of smuggling in arms and drugs due to the war in the neighboring country, this agreement will allow for increased deployment of Frontex teams. Their tasks will include border management support. This could encompass: screening, registration and identity checks of people crossing the border and border surveillance tasks, working hand in hand with the Moldovan authorities, as well as help in the collection and exchange of information.

All the costs associated with the work of the Frontex experts in the Republic of Moldova will be covered by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

Currently, the General Border Police Inspectorate and Frontex are cooperating based on a working agreement signed in August 2008, under which Frontex personnel work in Moldova as observers.