To strengthen security in the region, the states involved in the achievement of this desideratum should obey three important principles on which efficient cooperation is based - communication, coordination and cooperation, Minister of Internal Affairs Ana Revenco stated in the opening of the sixth operations meeting of the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.
“We all realize that the rules of communication, coordination and cooperation acted as catalysts and additional resources for the better functioning of the system. The multiple nationalities of the persons involved in acts of terrorism, rising fraud, illegal border crossing are directly related to terrorism. We must stick to these principles. The Hub is operational and functional and works 24h/24h. Since it started work, the Hub ensured connection between investigators in cases of illegal drug trade, arms trafficking and terrorism. We all promised safety to the citizens and the communities we serve. It is our mission to protect the citizens on the European continent,” stated the minister.
The official noted that Moldova and the EU should take joint measures to prevent eventual challenges on the part of the Russian Federation, fueled by fury and aggression. “The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine created an unstable environment on the borders of Ukraine and represents a threat to the internal security of the European Union. As we face a transnational threat, I would like our cooperation to be transnational. I propose that this should remain the key objective. The Republic of Moldova already works together with the EU to counteract all the threats that endanger the security and safety of our people,” noted Revenco.
EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi said that Moldova currently does not face a significant terrorist threat, but the country should take measures to prevent such challenges.
“The European Political Community Summit will take place in Moldova on June 1 and this is a very good opportunity for addressing crossborder security issues. A series of terrorist attacks motivated by extremist views occurred in Europe the last few years. The European path of the Republic of Moldova represents aligning of the practices and normative framework with the European ones, including as regards the fight against terrorism. In the Republic of Moldova, there is now no significant terrorist threat at the moment. However, it is important for the Republic of Moldova to take steps to prevent such acts in the future. A member state that in the past wasn’t under threat of terrorism can become a target any day. This way, we invite the Republic of Moldova to review the challenges at the moment. We discuss border security, arms trafficking. Our goal is to draw operational conclusions and to set priorities for the future. The Republic of Moldova can underline the areas in which it waits for support from the EU and the EU, for its part, will specify the aspects it requires of the Republic of Moldova. The EU underlines the commitment to cooperate with the Republic of Moldova in strengthening the internal security of the Republic of Moldova and to assist it on its pro-European path,” stated Ilkka Salmi.
Director of the Security and Intelligence Service Alexandru Musteață said that Moldova is situated close to the war zone and therefore feels a series of negative effects that are supplemented by internal challenges and destabilization attempts.
“We see that a number of hybrid war instruments were activated. We have energy dependence, economic crisis, disinformation, agents of influence, calls to civil disobedience and others. The goal is to increase the pressure on the senior administration, to influence decisions, to undermine national security, the rule of law, economic and social processes, to sabotage our European course and to push the country back under particular zones of influence, contrary to our national interests. The subjects discussed today exactly match these series of risks: violent extremism, disinformation, hybrid attacks, border security. SIS plays an important role in each of these issues,” noted Alexandru Musteață.
The Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova Jānis Mažeiks said that the EU member states reiterated their support for Moldova, which plays an important role in regional security. “These efforts combine with the commitment to reforms undertaken by the government of the Republic of Moldova so as to bring Moldova closer to Europe. The expectations of the people are as important for improving resilience in the aligning with the Community acquis. The security challenges evolve and we cannot speak about resilience during one day only. We must adopt a comprehensive approach. In this connection, I want to note the €40 million in assistance that was approved by the EU for resilience and peace and the civil partnership mission that was sent to the Republic of Moldova. We continue cooperating in the internal sector too. Moldova needs to further strengthen the capacities of institutions, to modernize the equipment. This Support Hub for Security and Border Management is a platform for exchanging experience in all the relevant areas. This meeting brought together in Chisinau high-ranking security specialists. We will continue working together in the spirit of the European team,” stated the diplomat.
