Moldova will annually allocate by US$900,000 for maintaining its military contingent at the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo. On March 13, Parliament ratified the agreement concluded with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by an exchange of letters, IPN reports.

Under the accord, Moldova will dispatch an infantry platoon consisting of 33 servicemen, a bomb squad of seven servicemen and a general staff officer to the peacekeeping operation. Armament, munitions and the necessary equipment will be also sent to the place of destination. The allocations cover the costs for living and remuneration and for the maintenance of equipment.

The Communist MPs said the parliamentary majority, by sending servicemen to Kosovo, indirectly recognize the independence of this region, even if it didn’t do it officially.

The authors of the bill to ratify the agreement underlined that the accord does not affect Moldova’s status of neutral country. The agreement comes into force when it is ratified and will be valid until a decision on stopping Moldova’s participation in the operation is taken.