The National Army of the Republic of Moldova on September 3 celebrates the 31th anniversary of its founding. In an official ceremony, President Maia Sandu, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, said that in the current regional context, today’s anniversary is a good occasion for remembering how the National Army was created and for justly assessing its role in defending and strengthening the country’s independence, IPN reports.
“The history of the Army was determined by the country’s history. The soldiers and officers of the National Army dealt with the hardships of time together with the citizens. The Army defended the territorial integrity of Moldova when this was challenged during the first years of independence. Today we commemorate and honor the sacrifice of the veterans of the National Army, of the heroes who died in the battle for the independence and territorial integrity of our country” stated President Sandu.
The official said the National Army is trusted by the citizens. Every time it provided the people with protective equipment, generators, tents and field kitchens. The military has been near the citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic and also this spring when hundreds of thousands of women, children and older persons from Ukraine found refuge in Moldova due to the war, to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the atrocities witnessed there.
“A strong and properly outfitted army ensures the country’s confidence in the own forces, freedom of action and strategic options in case of danger. A strong army supports the feeling of patriotism and unites the citizens in hard moments when the country’s existence is threatened. Consequently, it is our duty to build a modern well-equipped army for professional defense, which can cope with the challenges. We lag behind, but I’m confident that we can succeed,” stated Maia Sandu.
Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi said that 31 years have passed since the National Army was created as a pole of stability and as a guarantor of national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. “The National Army grew together with the Republic of Moldova and the aspirations of our modern and democratic society. In time, the defense institution experienced difficult periods and also a series of transformations and reforms that are aimed at modernizing the National Army, at adjusting it to the current situation, to national and regional security,” noted the minister.
Anatolie Nosatyi also said that during 31 years, the National Army’s soldiers have represented Moldova with honor and dignity at regional and international levels. They hoisted the tricolor during humanitarian and post-conflict reconstruction operations in Iraq, during the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and now also in Lebanon and at other military bases of international operations conducted under the aegis of the UN, the OSCE, the EU and NATO, showing that they can accomplish missions in the best way. In the country, the military was involved in the alleviation of consequences of natural calamities and helped the authorities to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and to manage the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
The National Army was founded on September 3, 1991 by a decree signed by Moldova’s first President Mircea Snegur shortly after the country proclaimed its independence.
