Mandate of the EU Partnership Mission to Moldova Is Extended for 2 Years

The Council of the European Union decided to extend the EU Partnership Mission to Moldova (EUPM) for another two years - until 31 May 2027, with a budgetary financing of over 19.8 million euros for this period, Logos Press reports. It was also decided to adjust the mandate of EUPM Moldova to increase the provision of strategic advice to the Moldovan authorities in the field of security. The decision was based on the Mission’s Strategic Review. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Council, Kaja Kallas, said she was pleased with the extension of the Partnership Mission to Moldova for another two years, with support of almost 20 million euros. “Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has faced more attempts to undermine its democratic institutions than ever before. Through our Mission, we have helped Moldova strengthen its cyber security and improve its defenses against hybrid threats. EU support for a stronger and more resilient Moldova is an investment in our own security, as well as in Moldova’s path to European Union membership,” Kallas said. The Partnership Mission to Moldova was established in April 2023, initially for two years. Its goal is to improve the country’s security resilience in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cyber security and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). To this end, the Mission provides strategic-level advice on strategy and policy development, and identifies organizational, training and equipment needs. The Mission has a project group responsible for identifying and implementing projects in these areas in close cooperation with other actors. The Head of Mission is Cosmin Dinescu and the Civilian Operations Commander is Stefano Tomat, Managing Director of the Civilian Operational Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS works directly under the political leadership of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice-President of the European Commission.