[3] The efforts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova have noticeably increased since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU.

In its conclusions of 15 December 2022, the European Council affirmed that the EU would continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova as it deals with the multifaceted impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

[4] In a letter to the High Representative dated 28 January 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova invited the EU to deploy a civilian mission in the country under the CSDP.

[7] The mission has a mandate to support the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to increase the resilience of the security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

Its permanent international staff may be temporarily increased with Visiting Experts and Specialised Teams, depending on the needs and requirements of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, within the Mission approved mandate.