For the first time, a policy document specifies who poses a threat to national security. This is the Russian Federation that in the draft National Security Strategy is defined as a danger to the security of the Republic of Moldova, lecturer at the Military Academy Natalia Albu, executive director of the Platform for Security and Defense Initiatives, stated in a public debate hosted by IPN.

The draft National Security Stately defines the dangers to the country’s security and the action directions proposed for strengthening national security and the security of each citizen. It is for the first time that the one who poses a danger to Moldova’s security is clearly stipulated.

“I presume that these statements are not emotive. These assessments were carried out according to particular criteria in division 2 – risks and threats. It is an integrated approach and it is underlined how the implications of the Russian Federation’s actions, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, influence the life of citizens and of the country in general,” said Natalia Albu.

She noted that this is a strategic view document that defines the space in which the Republic of Moldova considers its own security is protected.

“A strategic document can be based on a number of approaches. It can center on prevention, which is the instructing of the citizens, the institutions how to act in crisis situations. A strategic document should not refer only to state security. We have laws on state security, including three new laws on the SIS, which were debated in Parliament and clearly define the conditions in which the state can ensure its sovereignty, integrity and personal safety,” stated the executive director of the Platform for Security and Defense Initiatives.

As to the public discussions held so far on the draft National Security Strategy, Natalia Albu said that these weren’t political debates. The goal was to improve and adjust this document in accordance with the security needs. “Among the invitees were security experts, representatives of civil society and the academia,” she stated, noting that the debates will continue in a broader format so as to improve the document.

The public debate entitled “Country’s security: dangers, solutions, novelties” was the 292nd installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.