Moldovan lawmakers support the initiative to involve Moldova in the security plan for Eastern Europe proposed by the United States. They consider that such a bill is welcome for the country, which needs to strengthen security. The MPs were asked to pronounce after President Barack Obama announced plans for a $1bn fund to finance extra U.S. troop and military deployments to “new allies” in Eastern Europe during a visit to Poland. The initiative would also strengthen the capacity of non-NATO states including Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to build their own defenses.
Chairman of the Liberal-Democratic parliamentary group Valeriu Strelet has told IPN that as regards Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, the U.S. President speaks about the straightening of defense capacities. “As far as I know, it is about the training of national armies, possible support for technical equipment and others. The states would not be included in a joint program. If this program is approved, Moldova should be very open for benefiting from it because the national army needs modern equipment and the soldiers need appropriate training. This initiative is welcome for strengthening Moldova’s defense capacities. Even if it is a neutral state, Moldova must anyway be able to defend itself from possible aggression,” he stated.
Democratic lawmaker Sergiu Sarbu noted that they didn’t discuss this proposal at official level, but his personal opinion is that any initiative aimed at strengthening security in the region is welcome. “We all want peace and pray to God to protect us from conflicts here. Any help from the foreign partners is welcome and it is important that this help is not military in character as we are a neutral state. Surely Moldova needs such support. We have a frozen conflict on the territory of our country. There are military conflicts in the neighboring country and we need help to keep peace,” he said.
Liberal-Reformist Oleg Bodrug, who is the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, is sure that Moldova needs such a program. “Moreover, we asked the Constitutional Court to explain what status of neutrality is. It does not mean that we want to enter a bloc, but we should be able to seek help when we face security-related dangers. In this case, our approach matches well this initiative,” he stated.
Liberal MP Valeriu Munteanu considers that this initiative is in accordance with Liberals’ aspirations to see Moldova part of NATO. “Everything depends on our willingness, the maturity of the political class and our ability to absorb what the U.S. offers. I think this initiative will be welcomed in Tbilisi and Kiev, given their old wish to integrate into NATO. Openness in Chisinau will appear after some of the politicians measure the issues in terms of money. We consider that Moldova should renounce its injurious status of neutrality and should enter a safe security circuit under the auspices of NATO,” he said.
The Communist lawmakers didn’t comment on this initiative, saying they will pronounce on the issue after they hold discussions within the Central Committee.
