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| Dionis Cenuşa | |
In Moldova, the subject of cooperation with the EU and NATO in the field of security is not well known or is unpopular. In general, among the political parties (in particular, pro-Russian ones) and inside the public opinion, there is opposition to Moldova’s participation in international operations, no matter whether these are civil or not. This happens in the conditions in which Moldovan soldiers have taken part in international (civil-military) operations held under the aegis of the UN (Kosovo, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sudan, etc.), OSCE (Chechen Republic, Tajikistan, Ukraine, etc.) and NATO (Bosnia and Herzegovina) since 1997. More recently, Moldovan soldiers have been involved in missions conducted by the EU (Central African Republic).
All Moldova’s participations in international operations take place following the Parliament’s consent, at the proposal of the Head of State (Art. 6, Law No. 219 of December 3, 2015). But this does not refer to the country’s permanent status of neutrality (Art. 11, Constitution of the Republic of Moldova). For almost 20 years, Moldova has taken part in operations coordinated by international organizations (OSCE, UN, NATO). This facilitates experience exchange and the maintaining of the Moldovan military’s ability without influencing somehow the country’s neutrality.
We speak about security and the contributions from which Moldova benefits by cooperating with NATO and the EU. When the financial resources and the institutional, human and operational capacities are restricted, the dialogue with the EU and NATO represents a ‘lifebuoy’ for the hollow national security.
Also, Moldova indirectly benefits from the bilateral EU-NATO dialogue that complements the existing security instruments and helps solve the emerging crises in Europe.
At first, about how EU counts on NATO
The cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) seems normal given that each of these have practically the same number of member states (22). So, only six EU member states do not form part of the NATO political-military bloc. These have traditions of neutral country (Ireland, Austria), are self-sufficient from military viewpoint (Sweden), have guaranteed military protection (Cyprus, Malta) or avoid worsening the relations with Russia (Finland).
The cooperation between the EU and NATO was reinforced in 2002, when the EU was allowed to plan the capabilities of NATO for carrying out own operations. By the so-called Berlin Plus arrangements, which were completed in 2003, NATO agreed to allow the EU to use its instruments (equipment, capabilities, classified information) to control crisis management and other types of military-civil operations.
In parallel, the EU strengthened its policies in the field of security. As a result, in 2003 this launched its first military operation called CONCORDIA in the former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia, while one year later – another military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, the EU coordinates already 11 civil missions (Ukraine, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Palestinian Territories, etc.) and six military missions (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mali, Somalia, etc.).
In 2010, by a new Strategic Concept, NATO strengthened the idea of fortifying the EU-NATO partnership aimed at preventing and managing crises/conflicts and at ensuring post-conflict stabilization. After 2009, when the Treaty of Lisbon came into force, the EU developed a clearer legal and institutional framework for dealing with security-related problems. Thus, simultaneously with the maturing of the EU as an international player, NATO reviewed its strategic views, laying emphasis on the EU-NATO strategic partnership. In 2012, at the Chicago Summit, NATO noted that it shares common value with the EU (rule of law, good governance, human rights) as well as common interests (stability and security in Europe).
Today, the EU and NATO maintain a permanent dialogue on security-related issues. The interaction between these focuses on the management of crisis situations and on the development of particular common capabilities. The economic crisis and the austerity programs adopted by most of the EU and NATO member states push them towers more powerful interconnection. With the intensification and multiplication of crises on the periphery of the EU and not only, the latter counts on the assistance and involvement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The EU’s inability to solve the problems by itself refreshes the idea that NATO is a necessity even if this needs resuscitation. The refugee crisis is a conclusive example when the EU made use of the NATO resources. In this regard, in February 2016, the two organizations agreed that the NATO military ships will take part in the surveillance operation in the Aegean Sea, which is also aimed at combating illegal traffic of migrants and refugees. Such cooperation relations are to be extended to other security –related problems.
Moldova counts on the EU and on NATO
In terms of security, the EU and NATO are capable of satisfying the own needs or of helping each other to respond to common threats or risks. Also, these can easily extend their resources so as to support the countries in their vicinity, which are consumers rather than suppliers of security. From this viewpoint, Moldova is in a favorable situation because it develops dialogues concentrated on security both with NATO and the EU.
The relations with NATO started in 1994, when Moldova joined the Partnership for Peace. In 1997, with the support of NATO, chemical substances and pesticides inherited after the implosion of USSR began to be destroyed. The first Individual Partnership Action Plan NATO-Moldova was launched in 2006, with emphasis on the reformation of the security sector. In 2014, the Moldovan soldiers for the first time joined a NATO-led military mission - KFOR mission in Kosovo. Afterward, a set of measures for strengthening Moldova’s defense capacities was approved by the defense ministers of the NATO countries, in June 2015. Consequently, from profoundly formal relations, the dialogue with NATO turned into a solid platform for strengthening the internal capacities and for learning good practices for destroying pesticides, diminishing the consequences of natural disasters, etc.
The relationship with the EU in the field of security is now being built. On the one hand, this situation explains the institutional developments inside the EU. On the other hand, it explains the gradual development of the Moldova-EU relations.
The Association Agreement signed in June 2014 provides that the Moldova-EU political dialogue will cover convergence in the field of security, development of cooperation in defense, promotion of security based on international formats and contribution to crisis management actions (Art. 3, 5, Title II). The accord refers to the intensification of cooperation in the area of foreign and security policy, specifically within the Common Security and Defense Policy. In this connection, Moldova is implementing the provisions of the framework agreement on participation in EU crisis management missions. On this occasion, a Moldovan military expert was deployed in June 2015 to take part in the EU’s military advisory mission in the Central African Republic. In October 2015, the official Chisinau took the measures needed to initiate negotiations with the EU on the signing of an agreement on the exchange of classified information. Also, after the signing of the Association Agreement, Moldova actively supported the common declarations and positions of the EU in the field of foreign and security policy, making usually an exception in cases related to Russia.
Owing to the extension of the relations with NATO and the EU, Moldova manages to diminish particular pressure on its security, not yet to eliminate the existing risks and treats. The extension of the dialogue with NATO and the EU, diversification of the instruments of cooperation and ‘interconnection’ and development of the intellectual and operational capacities of the national authorities are for now the only methods by which the national security can be maintained on a floating line.
Instead of conclusion…
The permanent neutrality status of Moldova does not automatically ensure the country’s national security. The neutrality can be ensured only if the authorities and the political class focus on the national security, especially because this refers to many non-military aspects such as the management of crisis situations (for example natural disasters). Greater attention should be devoted to the cooperation with NATO and the EU on all the dimensions of security given the old risks and the appearance of new manifestations of nonconventional insecurity (like ‘hybrid wars’ for example).
The Association Agreement with the EU in terms of security, defense and foreign policy must be put to good use as the Individual Partnership Action Plan Moldova – NATO must be. Besides, Moldova is advantaged, even if indirectly, by the intensification of the relations between the EU and NATO, which become increasingly interconnected.
The Moldovan authorities could increase more the benefits related to the cooperation with NATO and the EU if they express interest in measures that the country needs first of all (management of the post-conflict situation, management of natural disasters, cyber security, protection of facilities of strategic importance such as levees, accumulation lakes, etc. Ultimately, the cooperation in the field of security with NATO and the EU implies appropriate informational coverage without which high legitimacy among the population and, respectively, sufficient politic support are improbable.
IPN publishes in the Op-Ed rubric opinion pieces submitted by authors not affiliated with our editorial board. The opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily coincide with the opinions of our editorial board.