Moldova’s relations with various international organizations, including NATO, represent the sovereign and independent decision of the country. This is how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) commented on remarks by the Russian MFA spokesperson on the interview with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana. The MFAIE says that such statements and interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova are unacceptable.

“The neutrality of our country does not mean isolationism. The Moldovan authorities develop partnerships with organizations and states to preserve the peace and security of the country. We remind you that the Republic of Moldova has had a cooperative relationship with NATO since 1992. Collaboration with this organization, including through the Partnership for Peace, has brought and continues to bring real benefits for our country, but also for regional security. This relationship is developed exclusively on the basis of respect for the neutrality of the Republic of Moldova”, states the MFAEI.

The Ministry also says that the objective pursued by the authorities is to strengthen the security of citizens and the state, but also to contribute to the promotion of regional and European security. “Our country deepens friendly relations with all those who support freedom, peace and security in the region”, the Ministry added.

The Russian MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently stated that the various partnership formats regarding the deepening of cooperation with NATO are rather a “tool of manipulation” and that they are “not oriented towards truly mutually beneficial and equitable cooperation”. According to her, “the attempts to attract the Republic of Moldova to the North-Atlantic Alliance are particularly cynical, against the background of the situation in Ukraine, which was largely caused by the irresponsible expansion policy of the Alliance”.