Security expert: Political cohesion on security issues is hard to achieve in the Republic of Moldova
Different visions on the country’s development vector, societal polarization, and group interests hinder achieving political cohesion in Chișinău on issues of the Republic of Moldova’s security.
In an interview with Radio Europa Liberă, security expert Natalia Albu said that this target “is complicated and complex.”
In the context of the need to adopt a new National Security Strategy, which the authorities have announced they will draft and finalize by the end of this year, Natalia Albu states that the Republic of Moldova needs a “clear strategic vision – where the country sees itself in the current security environment.”
The Security Strategy, which the Republic of Moldova is currently guided by, was adopted 11 years ago.
The expert claims that the Republic of Moldova needs a Security Strategy that corresponds to the new geopolitical realities. “Now we have a different security environment, different priorities, different vectors established by the government.” “We are already at the first two stages of the process of joining the European Union, which was not the case in 2011,” when the current Strategy was approved, Natalia Albu added.
Other statements, in brief:
About a new Security Strategy: It is a roadmap for governance and the state regarding how to perceive risks and threats, how to ensure security, and the paths to take in this regard.
About the pillars of the future Strategy: Crisis management could be a central point of the future document. Environmental security issues, as well as energy security, cannot be neglected. The institutional competencies of the Supreme Security Council must be expanded.
About Strategy vs. Government Program: The political factor must be completely excluded. The reference point must be the national interest – the European vector, established since 1995.
About the risk of diverting the European vector: Risks have always existed. There have been governments that declared the continuity of the European integration vector, but they have intensely undermined it through their actions. The diversion of the vector is possible in the case of a “hybrid war or in a controlled chaos.” External forces can exploit the polarization of society, triggering subversive actions to change the government. As was attempted recently in Kyiv, when there was an attempt to change the government.
About the status of neutrality: For 30 years, it has not been realized – and this was probably done intentionally – that neutrality actually entails the development of the army. For 30 years, on the contrary, there have been demilitarization programs for the Republic of Moldova, with the aim that the uncontrolled region would do the same. But it had the opposite effect.
The Republic of Moldova does not have a neutrality status recognized by a UN resolution.
About collaboration with organizations like NATO: The Republic of Moldova should generally strengthen its partnerships in the field of defense, as they reinforce neutrality.
About the directions from which dangers come: Often, dangers come from within the country. The more capable you are of managing your internal vulnerabilities, the more protected you are against external threats.