Moldova became the first country with which the European Union signed a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement.
This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at a joint press conference with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Tuesday in Brussels, where the document was signed within the framework of the 8th meeting of the EU-Moldova Association Council. Josep Borrell drew attention to the fact that this is the first meeting since the EU Council decided to start negotiations with Moldova at the end of last year, and this is a very important step towards accession to the EU. He noted that during the meeting the parties discussed many issues and topics related to bilateral cooperation and the European integration process. Josep Borrell congratulated the Moldovan authorities for their determination to move forward along the path of integration into the EU, despite serious internal and external challenges. He explained that, internally, the key reforms being carried out are met with resistance from those who have lost from the fight against corruption, and externally, Moldova continues to directly suffer from the consequences of Russian aggression, with drones and missiles violating its airspace. But despite this, the authorities are making significant efforts towards integration into the EU. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on the Moldovan authorities to continue reforms so that all citizens of the country can experience and benefit from the real benefits of the EU integration process, understand these benefits and feel them in everyday life. He noted that Moldovan citizens will have a great chance to confirm the choice of our country’s European path in the upcoming referendum and presidential elections scheduled for October 20. Josep Borrell expressed the hope that there will be no external interference, recognizing that before such important events, disinformation and manipulation from outside usually become more active and threats to democracy need to be combated. He stressed that the EU will continue to show full solidarity with Moldova, since it is part of the European family, and in addition, Russia is actively trying to destabilize the situation in the country, acting both from the outside and using local resources. The EU's chief diplomat recalled that Russia has imposed restrictions on the supply of Moldovan fruit. According to him, in this regard, the EU is taking measures to accelerate support for reforms and protect the country from destabilization, helping Moldova in the process of strengthening energy security, and expanding sectoral cooperation. Josep Borrell emphasized that the EU and Moldova have common security challenges and to increase resilience, Moldova became the first country with which the European Union signed a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement. According to him, in the future such agreements will be signed with other countries, which will create a network of EU friends that will help establish solid security partnerships, closely cooperate in the field of cybersecurity, combating hybrid threats, developing capabilities, etc. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that the defense partnership agreement signed with Moldova will strengthen the resilience of our country and will allow us to jointly respond to common security challenges, make actions more effective and begin cooperation in new areas. He also recalled that a year ago Moldova launched the European Union Partnership Mission to Moldova (EUPM), a civilian mission with the aim of strengthening Moldova’s crisis management structures and increasing the country’s resilience to hybrid threats, such as cyber attacks and foreign disinformation. Josep Borrell also recalled that Moldova has been allocated 140 million euros for the modernization of the army through the European Peace Instrument, and this amount will be increased later, as it is necessary to contribute to strengthening security and stability. He emphasized that the EU will continue to strengthen democracy in Moldova and support the reform process, believing that the future of the Republic of Moldova lies in the EU. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova previously reported, the partnership agreement with the EU in the field of security and defense will be established in accordance with the goals specified in the National Security Strategy of our country. It is emphasized that the EU is in the process of establishing such a partnership with a number of countries with which it has reached a more active level of cooperation. As noted in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, most of the activities provided for by the aforementioned partnership between Moldova and the European Union are already being implemented in practice, but the partnership will create the basis for more systematic cooperation with the EU. “Essentially, the partnership will function as an umbrella agreement for all interactions between Moldova and the EU in areas such as EU assistance to strengthen the resilience of our country, cybersecurity, combating disinformation, assistance to the defense sector through the European Peace Instrument, Moldova’s participation in EU missions crisis management, integrated border management. Based on this partnership, Moldova and the EU will hold an annual dialogue in the field of security and defense, but will also be able to establish thematic dialogues in certain areas of mutual interest. The document on the Partnership in the field of security and defense will not have the status of an international treaty, but will be based on political obligations,” stated the Foreign Ministry of Moldova. // 21.05.2024 — InfoMarket
