"Today, the National Army, more than ever, needs everyone’s involvement. The ongoing reform can only be achieved with the support of veterans and civil society, of all citizens who wish to have a professional army, endowed with modern equipment, able to fulfil the internal mission and the external commitments”. The message was conveyed by the Minister of Defence, Pavel Voicu, to the military and civilian employees of the National Army, at the ceremony celebrated on the 28th anniversary, IPN reports.
Pavel Voicu mentioned that "today we owe respect to the first officers and non-commissioned officers who contributed to the formation of the army of the young Moldovan state ". According to the minister, "these are the people who acted in good faith, the true patriots, who should be thanked and whose sacrifice in the early 90's should be appreciated as they really made a difference." "We have an obligation today to think about the military and civilian employees who in all these 28 years have contributed together and separately to the development and modernization of the National Army, without which we could not advance in the accomplishment of the established missions," said Pavel Voicu.
Present at the ceremony, Igor Dodon, the President of the Republic of Moldova and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, said that "the army is the indispensable attribute of the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity". "Founded along with the state of the Republic of Moldova, the National Army symbolizes courage and power, patriotism and sacrifice, honour and truth, while also guaranteeing national and regional peace and security." "By contributing to ensuring order and peace in different corners of the world, not only do you help the local population in these countries, but honourably place the Republic of Moldova among the states that condemn war, interethnic hatred and discrimination," the head of state said.
Victoria Roşa, adviser to Prime Minister Maia Sandu, said on behalf of the Prime Minister that, "although the importance of the armed forces in the process of development and modernization of the country has not always been realized, today it is clear that a modern army and well-prepared military personnel are an important part of the welfare of the Republic of Moldova”. Also, thanks to the aid of the development partners in the modernization of the National Army, "the Republic of Moldova has become a contributor to international security and not just a consumer of security in an era of conventional and hybrid threats".
The Secretary General of the Parliament, Adrian Albu, read the message of the Speaker of the Parliament, Zinaida Greceanîi, mentioning that "September 3 is a day of gratitude of the people of the Republic of Moldova towards all the military who have served with devotion and self-sacrifice, defending the peace, sovereignty and neutrality of the country".
The National Army was created on September 3, 1991 by presidential decree signed by the first president, Mircea Snegur, shortly after the country's independence was proclaimed.
