The benefits for the national security system of the Republic of Moldova, brought by the European course of our country

The political orientation of the Republic of Moldova towards integration into the European Union has reopened the doors to the traditional partnerships that our country had in the past, in the field of national security.

Due to the war and multiple threats, which are putting pressure on the entire European continent, the package of foreign assistance for the national security system, which also included the intervention for the refugee crisis in Ukraine, reaches a number of 10 figures, for the last year alone.

External partners and Moldova envisioned an infusion of capital and expertise that focused on increasing the operational capabilities of the defense system, internal affairs, technology, intelligence and other law enforcement institutions.

Starting from the immediate financial intervention in the refugee crisis, where a prompt response was needed to manage the major flow of people at the state border, raising the infrastructure to provide accommodation and ensure conditions for decent living, and reaching up to systems of consolidation of the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova through the development of the airspace surveillance system, mobility, as well as the communications capabilities of the National Army.

Thus, the National Army, through the European Peace Facility (EPF), benefited from an assistance of 47 million euros starting in 2021. Assistance consisted of medical and engineering equipment to assist civil authorities in crisis or emergency situations. This year, the Council for Foreign Affairs of the European Union approved a new assistance package for the National Army, worth 40 million euros, intended to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova. The contribution of European states and the EU will continue in the future.

Also, the Internal Affairs, which were under pressure from the first moment of the war, were also in the attention of international partners, with budgets totaling over 42 million euros, only for the year 2022.

Here, the external support had a wide range of approach to the areas of intervention. Starting from securing energy independence to escape Russian blackmail with blackouts, the internal affairs system was equipped with dozens of electric generators as an alternative source of energy. Thus, the continuous operation of the state border crossing points, the 112 emergency service, rescue and fire stations, and police inspectorates was achieved, so that citizens do not suffer from power outages. At the same time, temporary refugee camps and accommodation centers were provided with heat and electricity.

Also, the infrastructure was modernized and the energy efficiency of some subdivisions of the border police and some headquarters of the national police was ensured through the reconstruction of some sectors, repairs, technical equipment to strengthen energy efficiency. At the same time, a new border point with Romania was created.

The mobility of the security structures was increased, in the case of the MAI with over 150 cars and special vehicles. The IGPF has been equipped with state-of-the-art ground and air border surveillance technologies, IT devices for document scanning, as well as other facilities for connecting to international databases.

For its part, the National Police benefited from the partners of an infusion of technology for the forensics laboratory, weapon marking technology for the operationalization of the National Weapons Registry, specialized software for other specific fields of activity.

If the intervention through the financing of Western states had not existed, the Republic of Moldova would have hardly resisted the challenges generated by the pressures of the border war and the energy blackmail that diminished the state budget.

At the same time, all the structures in the national security system benefited from experience exchanges and training in the fields of activity and carried out information visits to counterpart institutions in the partner countries. Also, tactical exercises that brought together experience, state-of-the-art technology and work in an integrated inter-institutional and multinational system were organized both on the national territory and in other partner countries.

The intervention of the European states in the national security system of the Republic of Moldova demonstrates, on the one hand, the recognition of our development capabilities, as well as the integration of our country into the European security system, already including the Republic of Moldova as a candidate country for EU membership.

The organization of the CPE Summit on June 1 represents for the Republic of Moldova a clear and direct message that shows that our country is ready to take care of all the high-level dignitaries of Europe, that Moldova is a producer of international security national and as already, our country is part of the European family of security structures. And we, beyond the inconvenience caused by traffic and traffic jams, have the duty to look ahead to the benefits that this Summit brings to increase the quality of life for each of us.