European Union Partnership Mission in 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.

History
At a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council held on 20 February 2023, Moldovan foreign minister Nicu Popescu expressed an interest in the deployment of a CSDP mission in Moldova. The Council of the European Union further explored the possibility. On 21 March 2023, Josep Borrell, told the Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels that the EU is preparing to deploy a civilian mission in Moldova to support the country in countering hybrid threats. The mission was established on 24 April 2023 at a meeting of the EU Council and will begin operations during the second summit of the European Political Community which is being hosted by Moldova on 1 June 2023. Romanian diplomat Cosmin Dinescu was named head of mission on 27 April 2023.

Mandate
The mission seeks to support the government of Moldova in countering hybrid threats the country faces as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. A memorandum dated 29 March 2023 stated that the mission aims at "enhancing the resilience of Moldova's security sector in the area of crisis management as well as enhancing resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference". The initial mandate of the mission is expected to be for two years and it will be made up of up to 40 police and customs officers and judicial officials.

Contributing states
The following countries have contributed personnel:


 * 🇦🇹 Austria (8)
 * 🇩🇪 Germany (15)

Reaction
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, and Denmark have all voiced support for the mission.