A new individual action plan of Moldova-NATO partnership is to be negotiated this year, followed by the beginning of implementation of the second phase of the defense capacity building initiative for the Republic of Moldova. This was announced by Prime Minister Maia Sandu after the meeting with John Bolton, the advisor for national security to the US president, who is on an official visit to Chisinau. According to Maia Sandu, US support is very important and it is the only way to build military capabilities and to strengthen a national security system capable of managing both conventional and hybrid threats, IPN reports.
"The United States is a strategic partner for the Republic of Moldova and Mr. Bolton's visit confirms it once again. US partners have supported our efforts to restore democratic processes and to protect human rights after a period when the Republic of Moldova fell prey to an oligarchic regime, being classified as a captured state," said Maia Sandu at the joint press conference with the participation of the American official.
According to the prime minister, the meeting focussed on the priorities of the current government, starting with the needs and expectations of citizens: combating high levels of corruption, reducing poverty, creating opportunities for economic development, finding ways to diversify the supply of energy sources. "And we wish these subjects to remain part of the process of assistance and bilateral cooperation with the United States of America," the prime minister noted.
The head of the Cabinet stated that the support for building and strengthening the security and defense sector represented a separate topic. Maia Sandu said that the US assistance for the modernization of the defense and security sector was about $15 million a year. The head of the Government also mentioned that the Republic of Moldova could become a stable partner, which would not only benefit, but would also provide security.
John Bolton stated that the fight against corruption was very important for investors and potential investors from the US. According to the American official, the success of the Republic of Moldova is also very important to the USA. "The US is highly concerned about the sovereignty, independence of the Republic of Moldova, and therefore for us it is very important that in the future Moldova be freed from unwanted influences. Of course, we want to continue our cooperation in the military and economic sectors, but also in other sectors in which we can collaborate, such as, for instance, cyber security, telecommunications, the energy sector. It is true, we have a very big agenda ahead, which can be completed by both sides," said John Bolton.
The sides also discussed the visit of Prime Minister Maia Sandu to Washington, that is to be scheduled in the near future.
