Moldova and EU sign historic security and defense partnership News
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Moldova and EU sign historic security and defense partnership

The Republic of Moldova and the European Union signed a security and defense partnership on Tuesday, making Moldova the first non-member country to enter into such an agreement with the EU. The meeting was chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borrell, Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Olivér Várhelyi.

According to the European External Action Service, the partnership aims to strengthen Moldova’s resilience, enable both parties to tackle shared security concerns and explore new areas of cooperation. The agreement has been underpinned by a series of dialogue mechanisms, aimed at providing steering and oversight. In particular, key areas of collaboration include EU common security and defense policy missions, countering hybrid threats, cyber issues, capacity building, strategic communications, non-proliferation, counterterrorism, defense consultations, training, border management, and women, peace, and security.

In the meeting, Moldova was also commended for its dedication to implementing reforms in areas concerning the rule of law, anti-corruption, democratic institutions, public administration and the economy.

The agreement was signed within the context of the eighth annual meeting of the Association Council under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. Moreover, it occurred against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, during which the EU has strongly condemned the repeated violations of Moldova’s airspace by Russian missiles.

Borrell said in a press release “we have confirmed that the relations between Moldova and the European Union have never been closer”. He further wrote on X that, “the partnership will enhance the country’s resilience” and “allow to jointly address common security challenges.” Prime Minister of Moldova Recean further commended the agreement, describing it as a “step forward” in the hopes of enhancing Moldova’s peace, security and prosperity.

The Eastern European country has been an EU candidate since 2022 with the ambitions of joining the Union by 2030. This also marked the first meeting after the European Council’s decision in December 2023 to open accession negotiations.

 

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