EU Launches Operational Platform in Support of Cooperation on Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova
The platform, named the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management, has been launched by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs, Ana Revenco, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
According to the Commission, the Hub will be established in Moldova’s capital of Chi?in?u and will be coordinated by the Delegation of the EU to Moldova.
“The launch of the EU Support Hub is a further reflection of Moldova’s European perspective, in accordance with the decision of the European Council to grant the status of a candidate country to Moldova,” notes a press release of the Commission announcing the Hub.
The same also points out that Moldova’s geographical location has made this country’s role critical in addressing the criminal and security threats that have arisen amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian troops.
Commenting on the move, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said that the Hub would enhance the EU’s joint operational action with Moldova in their mutual bid to tackle the challenges caused by organized crime and the war in Ukraine.
“Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine is a challenge to all of us and has a significant impact on our internal security. With the launch of the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova, we take the cooperation with our Moldovan partners to the next level to address related security threats,” she said amongst others.
Whereas the Vice-President for Promoting our European way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, asserted that the Hub would serve as a gateway for the Moldovan authorities to access EU cooperation and support mechanisms.
The move follows a decision of the EU announced at the end of June to grant Moldova EU membership candidate status, alongside Ukraine.
The Hub Has4 Objectives & 6 Priority Areas
The Hub will have five different objectives, with the first being the coordination of support by the EU and the Member States to Moldova on law enforcement and the management of borders, followed by providing a one-stop-shop for Moldovan authorities with a comprehensive toolbox of support measures.
Third is support for the existing mechanisms on internal security and border management, and then the final objective is the identification of the needs of the Moldovan authorities in terms of capacity building for law enforcement and border management, supporting the programming of EU financing instruments.
At the same time, the Hub will focus on six priority areas, which are:
- firearms trafficking
- migrant smuggling
- trafficking in human beings
- preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism
- cybercrime
- drug trafficking
It will also bring together experts from different EU organizations and institutions related to border management and security, including here Europol, the European External Action Service, Frontex, etc.
