Interactive hybrid Tabletop exercise on consular crisis management

In total, 14 EU Member States, two like-minded countries (Switzerland and Norway), and one accredited country with residence in Bucharest took part. The exercise was facilitated online by the Consular Affairs Division of the EEAS. 

This annual consular exercise focused on responding to a significant natural disaster scenario as severe flooding and, reflecting Moldova’s current risk environment, also covered scenarios like large-scale cyberattacks and drone attacks. The exercise provided valuable insights into the operational capabilities of the local consular cooperation group.

Discussions addressed critical areas, including effective communication with EU citizens, coordination and information-sharing among Member States, emergency support in close cooperation with local authorities, and the use of potential evacuation routes, outlined in the Joint Crisis Framework. The exercise also offered an opportunity to test the Joint Crisis Framework, updated in March 2025, to strengthen understanding of potential joint responses and to identify areas for improvement and further development, with a view to ensuring an even more effective EU consular response in Moldova in potential future crises.