Moldovan Foreign and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu disclosed during a ministry briefing that talks are underway with the European Union about establishing a civilian security mission in Moldova. The aim is to help counter hybrid threats facing society today. The disclosure came during a briefing reported by DEA News.
Minister Popescu explained that discussions with Brussels focus on launching a mission under the European Security and Defence Policy. The planned civilian presence in Chisinau would support Moldovan institutions in strengthening their capacity to counter hybrid threats, a challenge that has grown in recent years as external pressures and internal vulnerabilities intersect.
Popescu also highlighted the ongoing significance of assistance Moldova has received through the European Peace Fund, emphasizing how this support contributes to stabilizing security and governance in the country as it pursues closer ties with the EU.
In related comments, former Moldovan President and once head of the Communist Party, Vladimir Voronin, criticized the authorities for what he described as mimicking the European integration process to secure grants and loans. Voronin warned that reforms, including the justice system overhaul and other reforms undertaken after Moldova was granted EU candidate status, have fallen short in practice according to his assessment.
These developments reflect a broader regional conversation about security, governance reforms, and the pace of European integration for Moldova. Analysts note that civilian missions under EU frameworks are designed to bolster rule-of-law and institutional resilience, helping countries meet EU standards while navigating complex security dynamics in the region. Moldova’s path toward greater EU alignment continues to depend on sustained reform, transparent governance, and credible implementation of judicial and administrative modernization plans. The dialogue around a security mission underscores the EU’s emphasis on targeted civilian capabilities to counter hybrid threats, including disinformation campaigns, cyber intrusions, and other non-military pressures that can erode state capacity. Depending on how negotiations unfold, a civilian mission could provide practical support in areas such as governance coordination, civil protection, and emergency response readiness, all aimed at reinforcing Moldova’s resilience within Europe’s security architecture.