To enhance cooperation in combating threats to security and public order, the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs, Adrian Efros, and the Belgium Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reforms and Democratic Renewal, Annelies Verlinden, signed the Convention on Police Cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Government of the Republic of Moldova in Brussels.
Under this Convention, the parties will bolster their efforts in crime prevention, detection and police investigations. This signifies a significant stride for Moldova-Belgium police cooperation at an operational level, providing a legal framework that enables special joint investigative activities in order to respond to the evolving crime trends transcending national borders.
During the meeting, Adrian Efros expressed gratitude for Belgium’s support and solidarity in Moldova’s integration efforts into the broader European community. The establishment of a Belgian Embassy in Moldova in September 2023 was highlighted as a sign of confidence in and support for Moldova’s European aspirations.
Regarding bilateral cooperation within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Moldovan official emphasized Belgium’s valuable contribution to the activities carried out within this Mechanism enhancing preparedness against various threats.
Additionally, discussions addressed the imperative of bolstering capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in security and human rights, cyber capabilities, and cooperation with EU Member States. Emphasis was also placed on providing police training in human rights and combating organized crime.
The parties also explored the possibility of conducting joint operations, including forming joint investigation teams, to combat cross-border criminal groups and leverage modern technologies in crime prevention and investigation.
