P100 Strengthens Regional Cooperation during the EU CBRN CoE “Border Shield 25” Field Exercise in Moldova
19/2509 Oct 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Kyiv, Ukraine – October 9, 2025
The Border Shield 25 Field Exercise, held in Ungheni, Moldova, brought together national authorities and international partners to test and enhance the region’s preparedness and coordinated response to cross-border biological threats. Organized under the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, the exercise represented the first large-scale field event of its kind across all CoE regions, involving over 10 partner countries from South East and Eastern Europe (SEEE).
Project 100 (P100) – “Strengthening Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in the SEEE Region”, implemented by the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), played a pivotal role in the exercise’s coordination and evaluation processes. Through its established regional network of national trainers and technical experts, P100 contributed to scenario development, exercise planning, and the assessment of inter-agency cooperation at the operational level.
The exercise scenario, which simulated a cross-border biological incident requiring joint response by Moldovan and Romanian authorities, served as a practical testing ground for concepts, procedures, and coordination mechanisms developed under both P100 and Project 106 (P106).
P100’s participation emphasized the importance of inter-project collaboration within the EU CBRN CoE framework. The project’s expertise in biosafety and biosecurity training, cross-border coordination, and integrated border management helped ensure that the biological aspects of the scenario were technically robust and operationally relevant.
During the exercise, P100 experts contributed to:
• Technical evaluation of biosafety and biosecurity procedures applied at the border
• Observation and assessment of national coordination among border guards, customs, public health, and veterinary authorities
• Dissemination of lessons learned for future national and regional training activities under the P100 project.
The exercise was observed by STCU Executive Director, Mr. Curtis “B.J.” Bjelajac, alongside SEEE Region National Focal Points and representatives of international partner organizations, highlighting the strong institutional commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under the EU CBRN CoE framework.
The participation of P100 in Border Shield 25 reinforces the project’s commitment to building sustainable regional capabilities for detecting, containing, and mitigating biological risks at borders. The experience and insights gained from the exercise will directly inform the upcoming P100 cross-border field exercises planned for 2026, ensuring a coherent and mutually reinforcing approach to capacity building across SEEE partner countries.
The EU CBRN CoE “Border Shield 25” Field Exercise was led by Project 106, in close cooperation with Moldovan authorities, the Romanian Border Police, and P106 partner countries. The event showcased the strength of regional partnerships and the value of coordinated action in preventing and responding to CBRN incidents at the borders of Europe.
STCU, together with the EU, extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of this event. This initiative underscores the EU’s and STCU's dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.