EU Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova)

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (CFSP) 2023/855 on a European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova)

Agreement between the European Union and Moldova on the status of EUPM Moldova

Decision (CFSP) 2023/2205 on the signing, and provisional application, and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Moldova on the status of EUPM Moldova

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISIONS AND THE AGREEMENT?

Decision (CFSP) 2023/855 sets out the purpose and organisation of the European Union (EU) Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova), under the EU’s common security and defence policy.
The agreement is between the EU and Moldova, as host state of the EUPM, and concerns the components, units, headquarters and personnel deployed in Moldovan territory and assigned to EUPM Moldova.
Decision (CFSP) 2023/2205 marks the signing and provisional application of the agreement between the EU and Moldova concerning the status of EUPM Moldova.

KEY POINTS

Objectives and tasks of the EUPM

EUPM Moldova aims to contribute to improving the resilience of Moldova’s security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference. The EUPM has two main tasks:

strengthening crisis management structures by:
- identifying organisational, training and equipment needs,
- gradually implementing proposed actions and identified solutions;
enhancing resilience to hybrid threats by:
- advising on strategies and policies to counter hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference, including identifying disinformation, enhancing cybersecurity and protecting classified information,
- building capacity for detecting and identifying threats at an early stage, and responding to those threats,
- helping implement proposed actions and identified solutions.

A project cell supports these tasks, providing targeted operational support in close coordination with other actors, where possible.

Chain of command and structure

EUPM Moldova has:

a unified chain of command as a crisis management operation;
headquarters in Moldova;
a structure based on its planning documents.

The managing director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability is appointed as the Civilian Operation Commander (COC), who:

comes under the political control and strategic direction of the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) and the overall authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and commands EUPM Moldova at the strategic level;
ensures that the decisions of the European Council and of the PSC are carried out, including by issuing strategic instructions and providing advice and technical support to the head of mission;
reports to the Council through the High Representative;
directs the head of mission’s planning of security measures and ensures their effective implementation.

The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability is available to assist with the EUPM’s planning and conduct.

The responsibilities of the head of mission include:

command and control at theatre level, reporting directly to the COC;
administration and logistics, including managing assets, resources and information;
EUPM Moldova’s visibility;
receiving local political guidance from the head of the EU Delegation to Moldova;
EUPM Moldova’s security.

EUPM Moldova consists primarily of staff seconded by EU Member States, EU institutions or the European External Action Service. International and local staff may be contracted if the functions required cannot be provided by personnel seconded by Member States.

Political control and strategic direction

The PSC is authorised by the European Council to take decisions in respect of the political control and strategic direction of EUPM Moldova, including:

appointing a head of mission, based on a proposal from the High Representative;
amending the operation plan;
reporting regularly to the European Council;
receiving reports by the COC and the head of mission.

Non-EU countries

Non-EU countries may be invited to contribute to EUPM Moldova if they bear the costs of the staff seconded by them and contribute to the running costs of the mission, as appropriate.

Launch of the EUPM

In accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2023/993, the EUPM was officially launched on 22 May 2023. The financial reference amount to cover the expenditure related to EUPM Moldova from 24 April 2023 to 21 May 2025 is €13,356,508.08. The financial reference amount for any subsequent period will be decided by the Council.

Agreement on the status of EUPM Moldova

The agreement:

requires the EUPM and EUPM personnel to respect Moldova’s laws and regulations and to refrain from any action or activity incompatible with the EUPM’s objectives;
recognises the EUPM’s autonomy with regard to the execution of its functions;
requires Moldova, as host state of the EUPM, to respect the latter’s unitary and international nature.

It includes rules on aspects such as:

identification (accreditation documents, vehicle licence plates, flags) and uniform;
the use of border crossings and movements within Moldovan territory;
the EUPM and EUPM personnel privileges and immunities granted by Moldova;
the employment of local staff, host state support and contracting;
criminal jurisdiction and security;
cooperation and access to information, and communications;
claims for death, injury, damage and loss;
liaison and disputes.

Decision (CFSP) 2023/2205 approves the agreement on the status of EUPM Moldova on behalf of the EU. The agreement applies on a provisional basis, pending the completion of procedures necessary for its entry into force.

FROM WHEN DO THE DECISIONS AND THE AGREEMENT APPLY?

Decision (CFSP) 2023/855 entered into force on 24 April 2023 and will apply for a period of 2 years from the launch of EUPM Moldova.
Decision (CFSP) 2023/2205 and the agreement entered into force on 25 September 2023.

BACKGROUND

On 24 June 2022, the European Council granted Moldova, along with Ukraine, the status of a candidate country.
On 15 December 2022, the European Council affirmed that the EU would continue to provide support to Moldova as it deals with the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In a letter to the High Representative on 28 January 2023, the Prime Minister of Moldova invited the EU to deploy a civilian mission in the country under the common security and defence policy.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/855 of 24 April 2023 on a European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova) (OJ L 110, 25.4.2023, pp. 30–36).

Successive amendments to Decision (CFSP) 2023/855 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the status of the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (OJ L, 2023/2204, 19.10.2023).

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2205 of 25 September 2023 on the signing, and provisional application, and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the status of the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova).