National Army at its 18th anniversary

On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the National Army, the administration of the Ministry of Defense, of the General Staff and representatives of the OSCE Mission to Moldova this morning laid flowers to the monument to ruler Stephan the Great and Holy and to the Memorial Complex “Eternitate” in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. “For me as Minister of Defense, this day is the most important as I represent all the civil military men of the National Army, which is the most important institutione that defends the country. The 18th anniversary is a summing-up day when we take stock of the past and make plans for the future,” said Minister of Defense Vitalie Vrabie. Colonel in reserve Andrei Vicolas also said that this is an important day for him. “I was among the first to create and serve in the National Army. It was very hard as the events of 1992 overlapped and the start was difficult. Time has passed and the army is now well equipped and trained. We can be proud of our army,” he said. In a year after declaring its sovereignty, on August 27, 1991 Moldova proclaimed it independence. On September 24, 1991, the national executive set up a working group to work out the strategy for founding the National Army, under the president’s decree of September 3, 1991. The major role in creating the military institution was played by the State Department on Military Matters.