Preventing and combating drug trafficking at the forefront ofthe 15th EU Security Hub meeting
Drug trafficking remains one of the most complex criminal threats facing the Republic of Moldova and the European security area. The diversification of trafficking routes, the use of postal and courier services, digital channels and encrypted communications, as well as the spread of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, require increasingly coordinated responses based on intelligence, operational cooperation and multidisciplinary action. In this context, the European Union (EU) Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova (EU Security Hub) convened in Chișinău for its 15th operational meeting, dedicated to strengthening efforts to prevent and combat drug trafficking, with a focus on synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances and cross-border operational cooperation.
The meeting brought together representatives of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, the European Commission, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, EU agencies, Member States and international partners. Discussions involved representatives of law enforcement authorities, border and customs authorities, prosecution authorities, forensic and expert institutions, as well as institutions working in the fields of health, social assistance and education.
The meeting agenda reflected the complex nature of the phenomenon and the need for a balanced approach combining measures to reduce drug supply and demand with the prevention of drug use and the reduction of associated risks, the protection of public health, and a stronger response from security and justice institutions. Participants examined recent developments in the drug market, the use of postal, courier and digital channels, early warning mechanisms, detection capacities, forensic and toxicological capacities, risk analysis and the exchange of operational information.
Particular attention was paid to synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, as well as to the challenges they pose for law enforcement authorities, the health system and forensic and expert institutions. Discussions also focused on strengthening early warning mechanisms, developing forensic and analytical capacities, and improving the traceability of controlled substances seized from illicit activities, from seizure through forensic examination, storage and destruction.
In the context of the Republic of Moldova’s accession process to the EU and the commitments undertaken under Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom and Security”, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess national priorities in preventing and combating drug trafficking. The Republic of Moldova has intensified its participation in the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and strengthened its cooperation with Europol, the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), Frontex, CEPOL and Eurojust, creating new opportunities for information exchange, joint operational actions and capacity development.
Daniella Misail-Nichitin, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova: “Our direction is clear: the Republic of Moldova is building its drug control system as part of the European security area. This is also important in our accession process to the EU, particularly for our commitments under Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security (…) This is why our response must be cross-border. I would like to thank the European Commission, our colleagues from DG HOME, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, EUDA, Europol, the European agencies and the representatives of the Member States who are with us today. Your support is not just assistance to the Republic of Moldova. It means strengthening a common European response capacity.”
Maté Csicsai, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova: “Drug trafficking is a clear example of how security cannot be addressed by one institution or one country alone. Every step Moldova takes to detect organised crime, exchange intelligence, secure its borders and investigate criminal networks makes both Moldova and the European Union safer. Our cooperation continues to grow stronger as Moldova moves towards EU membership.”
From the EU’s perspective, cooperation with the Republic of Moldova in combating serious and organised crime is part of a broader partnership to strengthen internal security and border management. The meeting aimed to translate institutional dialogue into practical measures by identifying operational challenges, technical needs and priorities for European cooperation and support in the coming period.
A key moment of the 15th meeting was the signing of the Working Arrangement between the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova. The document formalises cooperation between the three institutions and lays the groundwork for the exchange of expertise and information, the strengthening of early warning mechanisms, and the development of the Republic of Moldova’s capacity to respond to rapid developments in the field of drugs.
Throughout the meeting, discussions also addressed drug detection at the border and in postal and courier flows, risk analysis and profiling, detection technologies and canine capacities, information exchange with EU agencies and Member States, as well as the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the EMPACT Operational Action Plan on Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances for 2026–2027. The meeting also aimed to identify practical follow-up actions, responsible institutions and possible support measures.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission, through the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME).
Background
The European Union Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova (the EU Security Hub) is an operational platform that facilitates cooperation in the fields of internal security and border management between EU institutions, EU Member States and the authorities of the Republic of Moldova.
Established in July 2022, the EU Security Hub operates as a joint operational group, facilitates connections between experts, and provides a forum for strategic discussions. Over more than three years of activity, the platform has delivered tangible results, contributing to closer cooperation between the competent institutions of the Republic of Moldova and European partners, as well as to a continuous exchange of information on cross-border crime and hybrid threats.
For more details about the activities and results of the EU Security Hub, please visit www.maisigurinue.md or contact the Information, Media Communication, Protocol and Ceremonial Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: Tel.: 067 117 042 | E-mail: presa@mai.gov.md.
