Combating illegal financing and destabilization attempts in the electoral context: EU Security Hub Meeting in Chisinau
Ministry of Internal Affairs hosts the 12th meeting of the EU security Hub for Internal Security and Border Management, a strategically important event that brings together professionals from law enforcement institutions from Moldova and EU Member States, as well as experts from EU institutions.
The main subject of the meeting, co-organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, European Commission, through the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and the EU Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova), is the strengthening of joint efforts to prevent and combat illegal financing in the electoral process, a phenomenon from the broader category of hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which threatens the integrity of democracy and stability of countries.
Through the platform offered by the security HUB, participants from the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania, Germany, France and Austria, as well as from other EU Member States, analyze the methods by which criminal groups or foreign state actors could try to influence the electoral processes. The focus is on identifying illicit financial flows used for electoral purposes, measures needed to counter them and adopting common prevention, and response strategies.
“Foreign interference in elections is a real threat, and protecting democracy requires vigilance and action. There is a need for greater transparency in political party financing and strengthening of institutions that guard the fairness of the electoral process. Every citizen has his role in defending democracy. Informed voting, critical spirit and civic engagement are the strongest weapons against manipulation. Moldova is at a decisive moment in its history, and its future depends on fair, free and protected elections from foreign influence” Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said.
“Interference in elections financed by illicit financial flows is not only an issue in Moldova, but also in the European Union and throughout the world. Illicit money is used to undermine democratic elections and influence political forces for the benefit of foreign states. That is why the exchange of best practices and lessons learned between partners is essential – we can both support Moldova and learn from your experience. The European Union will continue to support the electoral resilience of Moldova and strengthen the democratic process”, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, Jānis Mažeiks said.
At the same time, the Deputy Head of the Partnership Mission of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova), Kirsten Joppe, stressed “the importance of continuing joint efforts to support the Republic of Moldova in combating hybrid threats it faces. EUPM Moldova, the first civilian mission under the EU’s common security and defence policy with a mandate to support the fight against FIMI, has directly supported the Republic of Moldova, in particular through advice and exchange of best practices, including in its efforts to combat illicit financing flows, a hybrid instrument used extensively in attempts to influence the electoral processes in the Republic of Moldova”.
In the first part of the meeting, security experts analyze attacks stemming from foreign interference, used by external actors to influence the election results. The discussions focus on identifying methods used by means of illegal financial flows in order to manipulate the population.
In the second part of the event, participants focus on identifying common cooperation mechanisms for detecting and sanctioning those involved in illegalities affecting electoral processes. The practical session provides a framework for interactive debates, bringing together experts from the European Commission — Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and other international institutions. Discussions focus on current challenges and possible areas of action and methods of disrupting illegal financial circuits, and strengthening prevention mechanisms are analyzed through case studies and practical sessions.
Background
The EU Internal Security and Border Management Support Hub is a joint operational group supporting cooperation in the field of internal security and border management within the EU, between its agencies, Member States and Moldovan authorities. Its work contributes to a closer collaboration between competent institutions of the Republic of Moldova and European partners, as well as an exchange of information related to the latest developments in cross-border crime and hybrid threats.
For more details on the results and evolution of the activities of the Security HUB, we invite you to visit the platform https://maisigurinue.md/ or contact the Directorate on information, communication with mass media and protocol, Ministry of Internal Affairs; tel. 067117042, email: presa@mai.gov.md.
