The Republic of Moldova received the first batch of equipment supplied to the National Army through the European Peace Facility. The equipment is intended for nine Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, including three medical points. Ambulances, medical devices and other equipment will yet be shipped by the end of this year, together with instruction for use services. The handover ceremony took place at the Agency for Science and Military Memory, IPN reports.
“This meeting shows once again that the European Union stands by us. In this regard, I express my gratitude to the EU member states for the support offered to the Republic of Moldova in practically all the priority development areas, including the national defense sector. In 2021, the European Union launched the European Peace Facility as a support platform and also then the European Council approved the first tranche of assistance for the defense system of the Republic of Moldova. Initially, the financial assistance package was of €7 million. Later, this support amounted to €87 million. Indisputably, the given decision is a conclusive proof of the European Union’s contribution to building the defense capacities and enhancing our country’s resilience to the current security challenges,” said Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi.
Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said that the first pieces of equipment bought for the National Army through the European Peace Facility is a new stage of cooperation of the Republic of Moldova with the EU as a country with the EU candidate status in the fields of defense and security and these will have a positive impact on the country’s capabilities to ensure protection and keep peace in the country in a difficult regional context. “We have the occasion of celebrating a new stage in our cooperation with the European Union, especially in the security and defense sectors. As a candidate for membership of the European Union, the Republic of Moldova will further develop and will integrate into the European Union’s policies in the field of security,” stated the official.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Commission, said that they were handing over this first batch of equipment provided through the European Peace Facility (EPF) to Moldova. It includes drones, laptops, Explosive Ordnance Disposal suits, ultrasound machines, individual protection kits and surgery sets. “It is part of a first step of our support under the European Peace Facility. But more equipment will come in the next months, such as ambulances, mobile demining robots, metal detectors, radios, radars. Our support will continue to reflect the challenges that Moldova is facing. Our support will be responding to the emergencies provoked by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and we will provide you, as I said, for example, with an air surveillance radar […] This will enhance Moldova’s air security in the future. This support will help modernize Moldova’s defense sector and is part of the civilian mission we have inaugurated and the country will this way contribute to our peace-building efforts,” stated Josep Borrell.
