The NATO liaison office in Chisinau is already functional because the office’s head is already in Chisinau. She took up her duties in spring, but the office will be officially opened in December. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said that even if there are different interpretations of the delay in opening the office, it is not about ill will or intentional delays as there are particular financial procedures that should be respected, IPN reports.
“It is ultimately about NATO public funds that are transferred with great care by the 29 member states of the Alliance. But I think all these problems will be solved soon and the office will be opened in December. As I said, the office’s head has been in Moldova for a period and worked intensely to explain what we do, what is the nature of this partnership and how it can help the Republic of Moldova,” stated the spokeswoman.
Oana Lungescu said the partnership between the Republic of Moldova and NATO is long-lasting and there is hope that it will bring mutual benefits, for example, by destroying pesticides in many Moldovan villages so as to clean the farmland and the farmers could cultivate it. The assistance in strengthening training in counteracting cyber-attacks and cooperation for modernizing the defense system of Moldova are also welcome.
“At the same time, the Republic of Moldova contributes to the safety of Europe by taking part, for example, in our peacekeeping operation in Kosovo, with troops that are professional,” stated Oana Lungescu.
As to the new minister of defense’s announcement that he will make his first visit abroad to Brussels, to the NATO Headquarters, Oana Lungescu said this is an important signal and it is a normal one in a partnership as the one that exists with the Republic of Moldova, which is a long-lasting partnership that is to be strengthened.
Asked if the dialogue includes possible identification of a sustainable solution to the Transnistrian crisis, Oana Lungescu said NATO supports the international efforts made to solve the crisis. It is important to respect all the commitments that were taken during many years, starting with 1999, so as to identify a solution that would be based on the international legislation.
