The strengthening of relations and development of strategic partnerships with the European Union, Romania, the United States, Ukraine and Russia are among Moldova's principal objectives, said Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. During the yearly tour of the military attaches to Moldova on November 24, the Minister said the support provided by the foreign partners is of major importance in the military reform process. According to him, the development of the military abilities needed to ensure the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country is a key goal in the modernization of the National Army. Lieutenant colonel Vitalie State, the head of the International Cooperation Planning Division, said the tour of the military attaches is organized by the Ministry of Defense every year and brings together attaches to Moldova based in Chisinau, Bucharest, Kiev and Moscow. He said the event aims to inform the military attaches about the present stage of the National Army's development. The 25 military attaches accredited to Moldova include the representatives of Lithuania, Romania, Russia, the United States and Ukraine, who are based in Chisinau, and representatives of Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Poland, Slovakia and Turkey, with residence in Bucharest.