The Republic of Moldova celebrates 30 years since the signing of the framework document of the NATO Partnership for Peace program by issuing a postage stamp. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi said that in 30 years Moldova has only benefited from this cooperation. The North Atlantic Alliance, since 1994, when the Partnership for Peace was signed, has respected and will respect the neutrality status of the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance will be further strengthened for the benefit of Moldova’s citizens, IPN reports.
The anniversary stamp and thematic postal envelope are launched on the initiative of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the state-owned company “Poșta Moldovei”. Minister Mihai Popșoi said that, from the first years of independence, when the Republic of Moldova was taking its first steps as a sovereign state, the North Atlantic Alliance, along with its members, have been the main promoters and supporters of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. “This cooperation is 30 years old. During those 30 years, we have always enjoyed clear political support from our cooperation both with member countries and with the North Atlantic Alliance in general. The constant political support for the sovereignty and independence of our country is defining in our relations with the North Atlantic Alliance,” stated the official.
Mihai Popșoi also said that there are close cooperation relations in a whole range of fields, starting with science and innovation, in the destruction of over 1,200 tonnes of pesticides that polluted groundwater and soil in the Republic of Moldova and threatened the country’s food security and the citizens’ health. Thanks to the generous support of the North Atlantic Alliance, these ecological bombs dating from the Soviet times were disposed of.
Michaela Guerard Šimák, head of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, said that NATO is proud to be Moldova’s partner. NATO and the Republic of Moldova share common values based on the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, on safeguarding justice. The partnership has developed in support of Moldova’s territorial integrity and by fully respecting Moldova’s constitutional neutrality. The emphasis on reform support has progressively increased since 2006, when the country adopted its first Individual Partnership Action Plan. The main objective was to modernize the defense and security sector, including to strengthen democratic control over the armed forces. At the request of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, in December 2017, the NATO Liaison Office was inaugurated in Chisinau to promote the political dialogue and practical cooperation. “Looking to the future, NATO will continue to support Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the country’s path towards European integration, which is undoubtedly for the benefit of all Moldovans,” stated the head of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau.
Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi said that the launch of the postage stamp dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the moment Moldova joined the Partnership for Peace expresses gratitude to the NATO partners and all those who contributed to strengthening national security and stability. “The postage stamp is not only a collector’s item. It is a testimony of our commitment to the values of peace and stability and a reminder of the journey made together with our partners,” noted Anatolie Nosatyi. He expressed confidence that this event will further strengthen the country’s cooperation with NATO and that the partners will continue to work together for a safer and more prosperous future for the Republic of Moldova and the entire region.
The relations with NATO were established in 1992, when Moldova joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together the 26 NATO Allies and 20 Partners in a forum providing for regular consultation and cooperation. The bilateral cooperation began when Moldova joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) in 1994.
