National Army is a factor of stability in society, Defense Minister
The National Army is a factor of stability in the society capable of carrying out tasks in times of peace and in times of crisis, Minister of Defense Vitalie Vrabie told Wednesday a news conference held on the occasion of the eighteenth anniversary of the foundation of the National Army celebrated on September 3.
“The National Armyʾs contribution to the national and international efforts to promote peace and security represents an extraordinary foreign policy element. In the near future, Moldova could be included in the category of countries that detach peacekeeping missions under the aegis of the UN. The development of the peacemaking capacities as part of peacekeeping operations is the National Armyʾs objective defined in the Moldova-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP),” Vitalie Vrabie said, quoted by Info-Prim Neo.
The minister also said that the dialogue between Moldova and NATO does not run counter to our countryʾs status of neutrality, while the cooperation based on the IPAP supports Moldova in its efforts to become part of the EU.
“Taking part in such kind of activities, Moldova fulfills the commitments made to international organizations. The international military presence shows that Moldova is a reliable partner that contributes to the regional, European and world security,” the minister said.
Vitalie Vrabie considers that the National Armyʾs personnel can help achieve all the set international objectives. The army is the only institution that teaches the young men to deal with the difficulties in life.
The minister said that this year the National Army has participated in different international exercises. Recently, it detached a group of 16 military doctors to the multinational exercise “Medceur 2009” in Serbia. Inside the country, the army held all the planned exercises and drills.
According to Vitalie Vrabie, the provision of dwellings to about 800 military men of the National Army remains one of the Defense Ministryʾs priorities. The money will be obtained from the sale of plots of land owned by the Ministry.
The minister also said that the quality of food in the army is much better than the previous years. The soldiers consume 4,258 kkal daily as they spend about 3,531 kkal a day. Besides, the men that weigh over 90 kg benefit from two portions a day.
Also on Wednesday, Vitalie Vrabie handed over state awards to a group of veterans of the Union of Veterans for the results achieved while doing their military service, for devotion and love for the motherland.
According to expert calculations, about 31,000 million lei is allocated for maintaining a conscript soldier from the state budget every year. This sum covers the cost of food, clothes, medical policy, etc.
As many as 2,905 military men will be drafted into the army in November this year. 2,830 of them will do their military service for a full period, while 75 for a reduced period. The recruits will be distributed as follows: 1,360 to the National Army, 650 to the Border Guard Service and 820 to the Carabineer Troops.