Teams of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will be deployed in the territory of Moldova to work hand in hand with Moldovan border guards in the performance of their work. The European Union signed a legally binding agreement with the Republic of Moldova on border management cooperation between Moldovan border guards and Frontex, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the European Commission.

Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said Moldovan actions in receiving and hosting people fleeing war in Ukraine have been impressive. “Since the beginning of the war, Moldova has received the highest number of refugees per capita in the region. The EU stands by Moldova – through humanitarian support via the Civil Protection Mechanism, pledges to transfer people to EU Member States and now today through this agreement signed today, the EU will provide further assistance to support border management with the actual deployment of Frontex border guards in the territory of Moldova,” stated the official.

Of the over 3 million people who have so far fled from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 300,000 persons so far have sought safety in Moldova and about 100,000 of them are now in Moldova. Moldovan border guards are facing challenges both in view of the high number of arrivals and sharing a border with an active war zone.

The draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement will be sent to the European Parliament, which needs to give its consent for the agreement to be concluded. However, based on a provisional application of the Council decision, additional Frontex staff can be deployed from today.