Security cooperation
Through regular participation in PfP training exercises, Moldova has taken steps to bring elements of its forces closer to full interoperability with Allied forces. Moldova has declared a range of units available for PfP activities, on a case-by-case basis. Five Moldovan helicopters currently support the UN mission in Afghanistan.
Moldova contributes to the fight against terrorism through cooperation with the Allies on enhancing national counter-terrorist training capabilities and improving border and infrastructure security.
Work on enhancing military education and training in Moldova is focused on the Military Academy and its Continuous Training Centre – an accredited Partnership Training and Education Centre – both of which are working closely with NATO experts.
NATO has no direct role in the conflict resolution process in the region of Transnistria. However, NATO closely follows developments in the region. The current NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has also previously stated that the Alliance fully expects Russia to abide by its international obligations, including respecting the territorial integrity and political freedom of neighbouring countries.
Defence and security sector reform
Defence and security sector reforms are core areas of cooperation. NATO and individual Allies have considerable expertise which Moldova can draw upon in this area. NATO supports the wider democratic, institutional and judicial reform process underway in Moldova.
In consultation with NATO, Moldova has developed strategic documents on defence and security sector reform. These documents were necessary to conduct of a Strategic Defence Review. Consultations were also conducted on the steps needed for establishing a transparent defence planning and budgeting system which were used as the key tools for the conduct and implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.
NATO and individual Allies continue to assist Moldova in creating modern, mobile, high-readiness, well-equipped and cost-effective forces that are interoperable with those of other countries. Moldovan participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP), since 1997, is instrumental in this process. Key reform projects include improving command and control structures, military logistics, personnel management, training and strengthening Moldova’s border patrol capabilities.
Moldova has agreed to train and develop designated units to achieve full interoperability with NATO and other partner forces. These units could be made available for NATO peace-support operations. The Operational Capabilities Concept supports this process.
Civil emergency planning
For Moldova, civil emergency planning is a priority area for cooperation with the Allies. Through participation in activities organised by NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), Moldova is developing its national civil emergency and disaster-management capabilities. In consultation with the Allies, the country is also working on enhancing the legal framework for coping with such emergencies, and working to establish a civil crisis information system to coordinate activities in the event of an emergency. In late August 2011, Moldova hosted the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination (EADRCC) exercise Codrii.
Science and environment
Under the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, Moldova has received grant awards for about 18 cooperative projects. Projects include seismic risk reduction studies and river monitoring activities.
In particular, Moldova aims to increase scientific cooperation in several key areas, including research into counter-terrorism and defending against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and ecological terrorism, the removal of dangerous chemicals, and reducing the risk and impact of environmental radiological contamination.
Other projects include a landslide susceptibility assessment in central Moldova and identifying buildings vulnerable to seismic activity in the Vrancea zone through the analysis of strong earthquakes that have occurred in the area. In total, scientists and experts from Moldova have had leading roles in 65 activities.
In 2009, Moldova hosted an advanced training course on cyber terrorism organised by the NATO Centre of Excellence for Defence against Terrorism. During the five-day programme, which was held within the framework of the Science for Peace Programme, participants learned how to identify and assess cyber threats, as well as ways to counter cyber terrorism. In December 2009, Moldovan politicians also attended a one-week advanced training course designed to provide a theoretical and practical introduction to security policies.
Over a number of years a Partnership for Peace Trust Fund project (in cooperation with the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility), has helped to ensure the identification, analysis, repackaging, and safe storage of over 3200 tonnes of dangerous chemicals and pesticides. The third and final phase of the NATO PfP Trust Fund project, the destruction of the repackaged substances is being prepared.
Public information
Moldova and NATO aim to improve public awareness of and access to information on NATO and the benefits of NATO-Moldova cooperation. With the support of NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, an Information and Documentation Centre on NATO was inaugurated at the Chisinau State University in October 2007. NATO also supports Moldova in improving the training of public information specialists within the country’s armed forces.
In every partner country an embassy of one of the NATO member states serves as a contact point and operates as a channel for disseminating information about the role and policies of the Alliance. The current NATO Contact Point Embassy in Moldova is the embassy of Bulgaria.
