Any Government is obliged to strengthen the defense capacities so as to ensure peace and security of the citizens, said Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu. According to him, Moldova’s neutrality means not full international isolation, but cooperation with foreign partners and modernization of the National Army, IPN reports.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration noted that in the context of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova is obliged to strengthen its defense capacities. The methods to strengthen security include the modernization of the National Army.
“Cooperation with the United States takes place based on full respect for the status of neutrality. But neutrality implies international cooperation, dialog, strengthening of our defense capacities. Any state, any Government is obliged to defend the country, the people, infrastructure and peace. This is an obligation, not a right. Some of the countries chose to defend their citizens by joining alliances, such as NATO. Other states chose to ensure security by neutrality. The Republic of Moldova also chose neutrality, in 1994. But neutrality does not envision demilitarization, self-isolation, indifference to international law, to civilians who are bombarded. Neutrality means that we need a strong, well-quipped army able to defend the citizens,” Nicu Popescu stated in the program “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova channel.
Recently, President Maia Sandu noted that the defense system is weak and should be strengthened. According to the head of state, discussions on the supply of weapons to Moldova haven’t been yet held with the foreign partners. Nicu Popescu said national security means not only armament capacities, but also energy security and cybersecurity.
“Given the rising risks in the region due to the aggression against Ukraine, the Government is obliged to look for methods to improve the country’s defense capacities. When we speak about the strengthening of defense capacities, we refer not only to armament. There are also nonlethal assistance, cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure. If you are neutral, you should not be vulnerable too. On the contrary, the neural states invest more in defense capacities as no one offers them security guarantees,” stated Nicu Popescu.
According to the state budget law for 2022, the costs for national defense this year are by 16.9% higher than last year and come to 885 million lei.
