Moldova's Interior ministry announces priorities for 2026 - 2030; Marta Kos: "Strategy focuses on what is essential for EU accession: combating corruption and protecting Moldova and Europe''

The Interior Ministry (MAI) has unveiled its strategic priorities for the period 2026–2030, including modernizing institutions, enhancing citizens’ safety and advancing the country's European integration process.

The event was marked by the presence of European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, on an official visit to Chisinau. During the event, seven sectoral programmes were presented, focusing on public order and security, crime prevention and combating, control of small arms and light weapons, civil protection and emergency situations, border management, migration and asylum, and the phased integration of foreigners, including displaced persons.

At the same time, the updated version of the Internal Affairs Development Strategy for 2022-2030, approved by the government in last August, was presented.

“This strategy focuses on what is essential for EU accession: combating corruption and protecting Moldova and Europe. Moldova is acting based on the recommendations we have made during the analysis process. This is the dedication and commitment we need to bring Moldova into the EU,” said Marta Kos.

Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said that Moldova's European future was affirmed through a safer life for people, better-protected communities and modern public institutions.

“Through these joint efforts, we advance the transformation of Moldova into a stronger, more resilient state, firmly anchored within the European Union framework,” noted Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

For her part, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov referred to the achievements got in the EU accession process.

“Together, we have managed not only to reach the final stages in the EU legislative analysis process, but also to show our capability. Now, we are starting the most complex part of our European path: implementing the political and institutional commitments we have made. Let's continue to prove that our country will succeed,” said Cristina Gherasimov.

As for the public order and security fields, the focus is on police services based on human rights compliance, increasing the number of patrol teams and territorial response, reducing the average intervention time to about 15 minutes, and modernizing police infrastructure. Additionally, all operational decisions will be based on data analysis and the community police will be established in all police sectors.

Also, the prevention and combating of crime aims at developing response mechanisms to criminal phenomena by improving national capacities to fight against organized crime, corruption and cybercrime. Measures include establishing an online crime reporting platform, implementing a national alert and response system for cyber incidents and strengthening the Cyber Crimes Center's capabilities. Furthermore, data collection and monitoring regarding digital violence, including the number of victims and reported case types, will ensure better protection for those in need.

As far as migration and asylum management is concerned, aligning Moldova's policies with EU standards is proposed, ensuring a balance between security and the protection of fundamental human rights. Also, the programme of phased integration for foreigners and displaced persons targets access to education, health, employment, housing and social services.

The modernization of the integrated border management system aims to strengthen surveillance and control capacities, while facilitating legal mobility and international exchanges. At the same time, the programme dedicated to small arms and light weapons control will limit risks associated with illicit trade, including stricter monitoring of ammunitions. The civil protection and emergency situations programme will enhance disaster response capabilities through training and equipping responsible units.

The development of a system based on integrity, accountability, and digitalization, ensuring every citizen benefits from professional services, is at the core of these reforms. The Internal Affairs Strategy for 2022 - 2030 aligns with the national goals outlined in the European Moldova 2030 National Development Strategy and the National Security Strategy, ands reflects the European Commission's recommendations from the screening process of Chapter 24.

The event was organized with the support of MAI’s development partners, the Soros Foundation Moldova, and Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), bringing together international partners, public authorities’ representatives and civil society members.