Moldovan and Romanian law enforcement boost cooperation through an EU-funded project worth over €500,000.
The main objectives of the cross-border project "PRO GOV," which was launched on February 18, are to develop border intervention mechanisms and to manage various situations, including crises and threats, efficiently. This project is being implemented by the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri in the Republic of Moldova and the Vaslui County Gendarmerie Inspectorate in Romania.
The initiative aims to strengthen institutional cooperation, modernize operational capabilities, and jointly train personnel involved in migration management to enhance citizens' safety and overall efficiency.
"We have very close cooperation and several ongoing projects with our colleagues from the Romanian gendarmerie. Our idea originated from a necessity. The war nearby underscored the importance of strengthening and developing the concept of interoperability," stated Colonel Alexandru Larionov, project manager and head of the Strategic Management Directorate within the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri, at the project launch event.
According to him, the project aims to enhance cross-border cooperation by developing intervention mechanisms, strengthening institutional partnerships, and effectively managing various situations, including crises and hybrid threats.
“The objective of this project is to significantly improve cooperation between our law enforcement institutions while adhering to established norms and requirements,” explained Larionov.
The total value of the project is €555,000, with 90% funded by the European Union. Of this amount, €305,000 is allocated to the Gendarmerie Inspectorate of Vaslui, and €250,000 to the partner from the Republic of Moldova.
Key activities include developing a cooperation plan and a joint action plan, conducting workshops, and providing practical training to implement international best practices as the Republic of Moldova aligns with European Union standards.
"A key activity will be a workshop in Romania, with two additional workshops in the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, we will also conduct practical training workshops. After establishing several mechanisms, we will put them into practice and analyze their effectiveness. Ultimately, a joint cross-border exercise will be conducted as a result of our shared best practices and interventions," detailed Colonel Alexandru Larionov.
The project anticipates procuring several pieces of equipment, including three off-road vehicles, a specialized drone for monitoring, body cameras, video cameras for documentation teams, and over 80 sets of protective gear for personnel.
"Our goal by the end of this project is to increase the level of cross-border cooperation, elevate the level of professionalization through joint training, and enhance the operational capacity of our institutions," concluded Larionov.
Dumitru Scurtu, commander-in-chief of the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, discussed the collaborative efforts between his institution and colleagues in Galați, Romania, during a recent event.
“However, we did not anticipate the emergence of significant crises, such as the war in Ukraine in 2022. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we prepared for exercises in Galați, we were already managing refugee flows at the border, both on our territory and in Romania. When the invasion began, we implemented the procedures and plans developed in Galați, which surprised many. We managed flows of 80,000 to 100,000 refugees, translating information for our Romanian colleagues and ensuring that refugees, including undocumented children from children's homes, reached safe places,” recalled Dumitru Scurtu.
He emphasized that the procedures established through these collaborative projects allow law enforcement officers on both sides of the Prut to operate as a unified team.
“This project is a joint effort that reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening cross-border cooperation and enhancing our response capacity in critical situations affecting the border area,” explained Marin Panfil, chief inspector of the Vaslui County Gendarmerie Inspectorate at the project launch event.
Mircea Gologan, the public administrator of Vaslui County, also highlighted the importance of interpersonal relationships and teamwork.
“It is a young team, eager to improve the quality of our operations. Establishing personal relationships will be crucial for the development of the project and our joint actions,” noted Mircea Gologan, adding that the "PRO GOV" project will serve as a solid foundation for future collaborative initiatives and for enhancing institutional resilience.
