Moldova Becomes the First Country in History to Sign a Security Agreement with the EU

The European Union and Moldova have signed a security partnership agreement. This document is called the first of its kind in Europe. This was announced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

"Moldova is the first country to sign a defence and security partnership agreement with the EU. This partnership will strengthen the country's resilience and allow us to respond together to the security challenges we share, make our actions more effective and start cooperation in new areas," the EU's chief diplomat said.

The agreement will strengthen cooperation between Moldova and the EU in the field of defence, cyber threats and foreign interference to an "unprecedented level". Moldova will increase intelligence sharing with the EU, conduct joint military exercises, and be included in the bloc's joint arms procurement - measures that will be the deepest formal step yet to link its national defence with its Western partners.

The agreement was announced last week.

The document was signed by Prime Minister Dorin Recean on behalf of Moldova, and by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU.

In October last year, Moldova, which for the first time officially declared Russia a "security threat", signed a bilateral security agreement with France and receives some funding from the EU to strengthen its defence capabilities.

To recap, the EU, along with its member states, is preparing a security agreement with Ukraine as a follow-up to the G7 Vilnius Declaration.