Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) will strengthen their operational and crime-fighting capacities in the framework of a European Union (EU)-funded project, the “EU4Security Moldova” hub, which will enable law enforcement officers to provide better security services.
EU4Security Moldova, funded by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Law Enforcement Training Agency (CEPOL). The project will address the needs of the MFA in the field of education, integrity, and digitalization.
CEPOL is the EU Center for Law Enforcement Training, which facilitates the prevention and fight against serious and organized crime, terrorism, and emerging security threats by enabling and strengthening cross-border cooperation through training.
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“With this project, we aim to help our counterparts in Moldova to stay ahead of crime. CEPOL is ready to step up its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry’s staff so that it can better respond, now and in the future, to the volatile security threats affecting the country,” said Alexandru Niculita, Head of CEPOL’s International Cooperation Directorate.
Moldova’s police will receive funding to equip them with state-of-the-art technology to increase the rate of combating cybercrime and firearms trafficking, as well as training and professional development opportunities for MAI employees.
“EU4Security Moldova is an important project to improve our common security to keep our citizens safe. It will contribute to the fight against firearms trafficking, which is a growing threat in Moldova, and against cybercrime, a major challenge of today. Overall, the project is an important step in our journey towards a common European future and Moldova’s accession to the European Union,” said Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, at the opening of the hub.
Interior Minister Adrian Efros said the initiative was proof of Moldova’s commitment “to build a safer, more resilient and inclusive future.”
“I am confident that our collaborative efforts will lead to a tangible and positive impact on Moldova’s security landscape. The Ministry of Interior is standing by our colleagues in the security sector in Europe, and today’s exchange of views is important in strengthening cooperation and continuity of future actions,” the MAI chief said.
At the event, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Janis Mazeiks, spoke about the EU’s commitment to support Moldova’s efforts towards European integration.
“We are committed to ensuring that more Moldovan officials benefit from learning opportunities. We must facilitate their capacity building and develop police forces that are close to and serve its citizens, in line with the EU acquis. This project is a sign of the EU’s unwavering commitment to support Moldova in achieving its European aspirations, strengthening its security and building its resilience,” he said.