President Vladimir Voronin and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer have highly appreciated the relations between the two structures

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, declared that Vladimir Voronin’s visits to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels have become a tradition and that they enhance the cooperation between Moldova and NATO, the press service of the presidency reports. Vladimir Voronin mentioned that the Moldovan authorities are having a constructive dialog with NATO and that currently this dialog focuses on the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) in Moldova. The president noted that a priority in implementing this plan is to work out and adopt the concept of the National Security, which is the essential element in reforming the political and judicial frame for defence and security. The president has also thanked NATO and the member states for their support to the project of destroying dangerous pesticides in Moldova. He has also mentioned the efficient collaboration concerning the air traffic management. In this context, the president asked NATO for logistical and technical support to increase the capacities of “Alexandru cel Bun” Military Institute of Armed Forces. The NATO Secretary General has appreciated the results of the IPAP implementation as very good and assured Moldova of all the future support from NATO regarding the reformation of the security and defence system, as well as democratic reforms in general. Speaking about the Transnistrian issue, the NATO Secretary General highlighted the interest of the organisation in finding a sustainable solution for this conflict within the frameworks of the “5+2” format. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer confirmed the NATO support regarding the unconditioned withdrawal of munitions and arms from Transnistria by the Russian Federation. This commitment was made based on the decision of the Summit in Istanbul. There have been inaugurated the new headquarters of the Moldova’s Mission to the European Communities and also the headquarters of the Embassy of Moldova in the Kingdom of Belgium, representing also the Netherlands and Luxemburg. At the official inauguration ceremony, Vladimir Voronin stated that the opening of these new headquaters is a sign of a long-term and reliable partnership, based on common values. This event proves again the fact that Moldova belongs to the European area geographically, historically and culturally, said Vladimir Voronin. The president reminded that the European integration is the only and irreversible strategic way that Moldova can follow, and this is the main objective of Moldova’s domestic and foreign policy. On June 18 in the evening, Vladimir Voronin has left for Luxembourg, where he will participate to the ninth assembly of the Moldova-EU Cooperation Council.