Forty-one militaries of the 19th contingent of the National Army get ready to leave for a new KFOR mission in Kosovo. In the deployment ceremony, Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatyi said the service members went through a selection and training process that will ensure the tasks will be carried out successfully, in the same way as their mates from the previous missions did.
The minister noted that in time, the National Army’s militaries, alongside counterparts from other states, fulfilled duties that contributed to restoring peace and to a return to prosperous life in the region. During nine years, the Army’s contingents gained practical experience that was implemented in the armed forces and contributed to the professionalization of the national defense institution. It would have been hard to achieve this desideratum without the support of the counterparts from Italy and the United States, which offered the necessary assistance to the National Army.
Diego Randazzo, Charge D’affaires ad interim at the Embassy of Italy in Moldova said that Moldova’s consolidated participation in the KFOR mission shows that the country becomes more important in ensuring international and European security. Moldova is part of the large operation that guarantees security and freedom of movement in Kosovo and the stabilization of Western Balkans.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Kent Logsdon wished success to the militaries. He said that in this effort, Moldova joins the over 3,500 soldiers from the 26 partner states. The soldiers who will leave this weekend have the privilege to represent Moldova’s army abroad and will have the occasion of showing to the international community their kills and professionalism. The experience they will gain during the next few months will enable them to essentially contribute to Moldova’s future.
Michaela Šimáková, Head of the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, noted that NATO plays a key role in maintaining peace in Western Balkans and this is crucial for European security. In its activities, the Alliance cooperates with the UN, the European Union and other international players. The Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to the region in the NATO Summit held in Vilnius last week. The current security environment emphasizes the important role of the partnership, while the Republic of Moldova is a long-term partner and a valuable partner of the Alliance. This partnership becomes stronger.
The Moldovan contingent will work in Kosovo for six months. As from 2014, more than 740 soldiers were deployed on missions to Kosovo.
