OSCE appreciates Moldova’s efforts in managing arms stockpiles

Moldova has made significant progress in what concerns effective stockpile management and security of conventional ammunition. Last year there were destroyed 200 stocks of Soviet-era Uragan rockets. By the end of the year some other 12,000 units are to be liquidated, Ambassador Louis O’Neill, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, stated at the opening session of a workshop at the Ministry of Defence on Monday, September 24. According to lieutenant-colonel Vladimir Mija, MoD’s foreign relations department head, the workshop on effective stockpile management and the security and destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition, will be useful in the effort to strengthen stability and trust, as well as in the attempt to establish a modern security system for the country. The two-day workshop is organised by the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) of the OSCE Secretariat in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Moldovan Defence Ministry. The event is a follow-up to an assessment visit by OSCE experts in May this year. The workshop brings together high-level officials from relevant ministries and government agencies to discuss Moldova’s OSCE commitments, best practices and techniques in stockpile management and the destruction of surplus and outdated SALW and Conventional Ammunition. International experts have also been invited to share their experiences with the participants. Media representatives were allowed to attend only the opening session of the workshop.