European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator: Moldova does not face terrorist risks, but must be prepared
Radiomoldova – The European Political Community Summit to be held in Bulboaca on June 1 is a good opportunity to discuss security issues, including counter-terrorism, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi told Wednesday’s operational meeting of the Security HUB. According to the official, the Republic of Moldova is currently not facing any risk of terrorism, but must be prepared for any situation. For her part, Interior Minister Ana Revenco said that the EU Security HUB contributes to the security of our country.
Security experts from 11 EU countries met on Wednesday 10 May for the 6th operational meeting of the EU Support Centre for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova. Key security authorities, together with high-level representatives of EU counter-terrorism institutions, are again discussing the issues that cannot be neglected in the new European security architecture: from preventing disinformation and social radicalisation, to protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces; fighting cross-border crime, trafficking in arms and ammunition and so on.
In this context, Interior Minister Ana Revenco outlined the HUB’s objectives for the immediate future. “The first task of the HUB working group must be focused on mass seizure. Romania has already mentioned the seizure of 1,200 guns on 22 March, and we need these forensic analyses of weapons not only to solve crimes committed previously, but also to prevent possible crimes in the future”, said Ana Revenco.
Security threats from cross-border terrorism are evident both in the European Union and in neighbouring countries – said EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi. “The European path of the Republic of Moldova represents an alignment of practices and regulatory framework with European ones, also in the field of counter-terrorism. In the Republic of Moldova there is no significant threat from terrorism, however it is important for the Republic of Moldova to take steps towards prevention and to prepare for possible such acts in order to be able to act accordingly”, Ilkka Salmi explained.
The first meeting of the Internal Security and Border Management HUB took place in June 2022 and it was agreed that the focus would be on trafficking in firearms, illegal smuggling of migrants, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime and drug trafficking.
