Romania continues to support the raising of the partnership relationship between NATO and the Republic of Moldova to a new stage and welcomes the opening of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, Minister of National Defense of Romania Mihai Fifor stated after a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Eugeniu Sturza in Chisinau, IPN reports.
“We appreciate the Republic of Moldova’s constant contribution to the NATO Mission in Kosovo, this being a proof of your country’s involvement in the stabilization of the security situation in the region, which is appreciated by all the allies. We encourage the active involvement of the Republic of Moldova in the actions taken by the Alliance, in particular by continuing to implement the package for building the defense capacity,” said Mihai Fifor, who visited Moldova as minister of defense for the first time.
The official added that Romania is and will continue to be a fervent supporter of the European and Euro-Atlantic course of the Republic of Moldova as Moldova is for Romania a strategic partner, not only a neighboring country. “I want to assure you of our entire support for the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova,” stated Mihai Fifor.
For his part, Eugeniu Sturza thanked the Romanian authorities for the constant assistance offered in modernizing the National Army. Underlining the importance of drills, the Moldovan official thanked his Romanian counterpart for the invitation to take part in exercises that will be staged in Romania this year, including Platinum Eagle and Fire Shield. “I’m convinced that the service members of the two armies will test their interoperability and will show that they are good soldiers and good friends, as they have always been,” stated the minister.
Eugeniu Sturza stressed the importance of the cooptation in military education, noting that over 800 Moldovan service members so far obtained diplomas from specialized academic institutions of Romania, some of them holding high-ranking posts in the Army. In this connection, Mihai Fifor said Romania will continue to support the modernization of the Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun” of Chisinau.
