According to Rador, the Sunday issue of the German newspaper Die Welt reported that the EU intended to send a civilian mission to the Republic of Moldova, citing diplomatic sources, Radio Chisinau reports.
According to the article, Moldova “feels a rising threat” and sent a letter requesting assistance to Brussels on January 28. The idea for the intended mission is presently being developed by the European External Action Service.
The new operation is anticipated to start “at the start of summer,” according to diplomats. According to Die Welt, Germany is one of the project’s most significant backers, along with Poland, the Baltic states, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, and Denmark.
“As part of the mission, administrative personnel from the fields of justice, police, and customs must advise the former Soviet country on the creation of an effective security sector,” the article says.
Additionally, the EU wishes to send experts to Moldova to assist the government there in fending off cyberattacks and false information. The Republic of Moldova asks that the EU provide air defense systems and enhance airspace surveillance (aircraft, radar) in addition to the civilian advisory mission.
Nicu Popescu, the foreign minister of the Republic of Moldova, said this on February 20 during the last gathering of the EU’s foreign ministers.
“Help rapidly update the outdated systems of the Republic of Moldova,” he pleaded with the EU nations.
The foreign minister had previously stated during a briefing at the ministry that his nation is in talks with the EU about deploying a civilian security operation there to combat hybrid threats.
Popescu added that the Republic of Moldova might soon take part in some of the EU measures imposed on Russia.
