The insufficient financing creates impediments to the modernization and reformation of the National Army. Such a conclusion was formulated in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel. On the other hand, the invitees had different opinions about Moldova’s neutrality and the entry into NATO, IPN reports.

Brigade general Igor Cutie, acting head of the National Army General Staff, said that large sums of money are spent in the army on training conscripts, but the formation of a professional army out of service members on contract would diminish these costs. “We do not have the possibility of training conscripts and reservists too,” he stated.

Anatolie Caraman, who heads the Association of 1992 War Veterans “Tiras-Tighina”, noted that the National Army of the Republic of Moldova cannot now stop training conscripts. “In the current situation, we must be ready for everything. We cannot renounce the reservists. We must have at least 30% of reservists so as to be able to cope when we are attacked,” said the colonel.

Victor Gaiciuc, ex-minister of defense, considers that if 2% of the GDP was allocated for maintaining the National Army, this would be enough for reforming and modernizing it. According to him, the service members and society in general do not want Moldova to join NATO. “Polls show that 80% of the people are for the neutrality of the Republic of Moldova,” he stated.