SIGNING OF THE STATUS OF THE EU PARTNERSHIP MISSION IN MOLDOVA AGREEMENT (SOMA)
The Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on the Status of the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM) was signed on Friday, 29 September 2023, in Chișinău, by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Adrian Efros, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. The Head of EUPM Moldova, Cosmin Dinescu, was in attendance.
The signing of the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) officially establishes the legal status of the Mission in the Republic of Moldova, according to the Vienna Convention for diplomatic relations from 18 April 1961.
This is an important step towards enabling the Mission to fully implement its mandate in enhancing the resilience of the security sector of the country, in cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova.
Unique in its mandate among the EU CSDP Missions, EUPM Moldova is focusing on enhancing the resilience of the Republic of Moldova’s security sector in countering hybrid threats. In this area of expertise, the Mission is also playing an active role in coordinating efforts of the international partners present in the country.
EUPM Moldova is a partner for the security of the Republic of Moldova on its way to EU accession.
Background information
According to the EU Strategic Compass, guiding the actions of the EU in the field of security and defence, and the EU CSDP Civilian Compact approved in May 2023, the EU acts to become a stronger and more capable security provider, in order to be able to protect its citizens and to contribute to international peace and security.
In in conclusions of 24 June 2022, the European Council recognised the European perspective of the Republic of Moldova, and decided to grant it, along with Ukraine, the status of candidate country.
In its conclusions of 15 December 2022, the European Council affirmed that the EU would continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova as it deals with the multifaceted impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In a letter to the High Representative dated 28 January 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova invited the EU to deploy a civilian mission in the country. The mission was established by the Council on 24 April.
“As one of the countries most affected by the fallout of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, we witness increased and continued Russian attempts to destabilise Moldova with hybrid actions. Today we are stepping up EU support to Moldova protect its security, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The deployment of this new mission is yet another important political sign of the EU’s support in the current difficult circumstances.” stated Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in April 2023.
The Mission was set up in record time, with full support from the EU Member States and EU institutions. 12 Member States contribute with permanent experts in the field of resilience to hybrid threats, cybersecurity and combatting Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Many more committed to send visiting experts and to support training, exchanges of experience and best practices with experts of Republic of Moldova.
EUPM Moldova provides strategic level advice and operational support to strengthen the country’s internal security sector. The main lines of action are:
- Contribute to strengthening the crisis management capacities of the security sector of the Republic of Moldova
- Assist in enhancing the resilience to hybrid threats, especially cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference
- Offering targeted operational support to the authorities of the Republic of Moldova through a project cell.
EUPM Moldova has an initial mandate of two years. Stefano Tomat, EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), is the Civilian Operation Commander. Head of Mission is Cosmin Dinescu, Romanian career diplomat with over 20 years of experience in international affairs.
In carrying out its mandate, the Mission assists in the development of strategies and policies, in identifying the necessary capacity building for early warning, detection and attribution of threats and effective response to them.
The Mission already provides assistance in the form of strategic advice to the Ministry of the Interior on crisis management, to the Security and Intelligence Service for strengthening its analytical capacities and for making the Center for Strategic Communication and Combating
Disinformation functional. EUPM Moldova was also co-organiser of the 7th edition of the EU Security Hub in Moldova, the first to focus on Countering Hybrid Threats.
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