| European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova | |
| Abbreviation: | EUPM Moldova |
| Map: | File:European_Union_Moldova_Locator.svg |
| Formation: | 24 April 2023 |
| Headquarters: | Chișinău |
| Leader Title: | Civilian Operation Commander |
| Leader Name: | Stefano Tomat |
| Leader Title2: | Head of Mission |
| Leader Name2: | Cosmin Dinescu |
| Parent Organization: | European Union |
| Staff: | 40[1] |
| Website: | www.eeas.europa.eu/eupm-moldova |
The European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova), is a European Union (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian mission in Moldova that was established on 24 April 2023.[2] The Mission was established at the formal request of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and is to contribute to the strengthening of Moldova’s crisis management structures and to enhance its resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).The total estimated budget for EUPM is €13.4 M for the whole 2-year mandate (24.04.2023 until 21.05.2025). It consists of 40 international permanent staff and 15 local staff based in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.[3]
The efforts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova have noticeably increased since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. 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.[4]
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 under the CSDP.
With this Mission, the EU supports the Republic of Moldova in increasing its resilience and stability, and in increasing stability and security in the whole region.The mission was established on 24 April 2023 and launched on 22 May 2023 following a decision of the Foreign Affairs Council.[5] Its Headquarters in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, was inaugurated during the visit of EU High Representative Josep Borrell on 31 May 2023. Romanian diplomat Cosmin Dinescu was appointed Head of Mission on 27 April 2023.[6] . The Mission has an initial mandate of two years, which is renewed by decision of the European Union Member States.[7]
The mission has a mandate to support the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to increase the resilience of the security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). In order to achieve this, EUPM provides strategic advice, training and operational support (including equipment). The Mission has three Lines of Operations: 1) contribute to strengthening the crisis management structures;2) support in enhancing resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and FIMI (foreign information manipulation and interference);3) a Project cell that implements projects in the above mentioned fields of activity, offering targeted operational support, as needed, in line with the Integrated Approach and, as far as possible, in close coordination with other actors.[8] [9] The mandate of the civilian CSDP Mission is a non-executive one, which means that the Mission offers support based on the "advise, train and equip" approach, but the decision to take action and responsibility to implement decisions rests with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova.EUPM Moldova is also a scalable and modular civilian CSDP mission. It's permanent international staff may be temporarily increased with Visiting Experts and Specialised Teams, depending on the needs and requirements of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, within the Mission approved mandate.