OSCE Moldova Mission and Defence Ministry to destroy surplus weapons

Over 11 thousand of artillery shells, 377 guided anti-tank missiles and nearly half a million ammunition elements will be terminated thanks to a project agreed on today by the Moldovan Defense Ministry and the OSCE Mission to Moldova. According to Ambassador Louis O’Neill, the head of the OSCE Mission, this unilateral destruction of surplus and outdated ammunition from the Moldovan army’s inventory represents a major contribution to regional stability. “I commend the Moldovan authorities for this confidence-building measure, which is within the spirit of the arms control and confidence- and security- building measures developed in 2005 by the OSCE Mission in partnership with the Russian Federation and Ukraine” said the ambassador. This project and the earlier destruction of Moldova’s entire arsenal of rockets for the 220mm “Uragan” multi-launch rocket system and other weaponry were a clear signal that the Moldovan government was ready to carry out serious reductions in its military capability and increase regional security, O’Neill noted. On this occasion, O’Neill called on the leadership of the Transnistria to respond in kind and to engage in constructive discussions on confidence and security building measures with a view to reducing its own military stockpiles. The project was announced today by Moldovan Defense Minister Valeriu Plesca during a visit by O’Neill and Ambassador Antii Turunen, Head of the Finnish Delegation to the OSCE. The Finnish Government has provided EUR 160,000 for the project, which will be implemented with the assistance of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation.