The 41 National Army service members detached to take part in the KFOR-4 mission in Kosovo on December 6, 2015 returned home on June 10, 2016. These were met by Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu by an official ceremony, IPN reports.

According to the legislature’s press office, the event started with the singing of the national anthem by the service members, who were accompanied by the Presidential Orchestra. In the opening of the ceremony, the Speaker welcomed the 41 service members by a bow in appreciation and respect.

“I want to thank you for your sacrifice, patriotism and, especially, for your professionalism. As you fulfilled your duty exemplarily, we have additional requests and this is a method of showing that the National Army of Moldova deserves a place in the regional, European and, why not, the global security and defense system. Thus, our country turns from a consumer of security into an active participant in ensuring of security,” stated Andrian Candu.

Minister of Defense Anatolie Salaru congratulated the officers and sub-officers and said that owing to their performance, Moldova was asked to increase the number of participants in the KFOR operation. “You showed that those from the National Army are responsible and interoperable with the Euro-Atlantic armies,” he said.

A ceremony was held afterward to award the 41 service members who formed part of the multinational peacekeeping force. They worked at the Italian military base “Camp Vilaggio” in Pech village for six months.

KFOR-4 completed its duties in Kosovo and was replaced by another contingent of 41 service members led by Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Efros.