The civilian mission consisting of EU experts will offer advice and expertise to representatives of government institutions so as to cope with the hybrid attacks staged by the Russian Federation, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu. According to the official, the EU’s civilian mission will not cover the Transnistrian settlement process. The European experts will contribute to strengthening the state institutions so that peace and stability could be ensured in Moldova, IPN reports.
The EU experts will help the authorities to manage the crises caused by Russia’ hybrid attacks against Moldova. The minister said they will work primarily with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help them strengthen their capacities to maintain public order.
“These are advisers who come to help us improve governance and the functioning of our institutions. As it is a civilian mission, this will help primarily the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This civilian mission will not take part in the Transnistrian settlement process. It is a mission that will work with the Government in Chisinau to improve the functioning of our institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to counteract hybrid threats and will not cover the Transnistrian settlement. The member states of the European Union will determine exactly the budget, the personnel, the program of activities. We should not expect that hundreds or thousands of persons will come to the Republic of Moldova. A limited number of experts will come to help us strengthen the capacities of our institutions to keep peace,” Nicu Popescu stated in the program “Good Evening” on the public TV channel Moldova 1.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Moldovan authorities’ firm intention to follow the European path bothers Moscow and this was seen in the Kremlin’s rhetoric with regard to Moldova. There are forces inside the country, which serve the interests of the Russian Federation and want to destabilize the situation.
“The Republic of Moldova already copes with rather aggressive hybrid threats. We have faced such threats since the declaring of Independence: support for separatism, disinformation, propaganda. The Republic of Moldova needs immediate solutions, support and cooperation to limit the noxious effect of these hybrid threats. At the current stage, we focus on our priorities to maintain peace and stability. There are oligarchs and representatives of the Russian Federation, who cooperate with these oligarchs and try to bring violence onto our streets. We are taking measures to ensure stability in our country,” said Nicu Popescu.
Earlier, the Head of the EU Delegation in Chisinau Janis Mazeiks announced that the European Union and the Republic of Moldova are designing a plan of action for the EU’s government support mission that could be launched in May.
