The neutrality status does not mean that a country should have a weak army. On the contrary, the country should ensure its security by itself. This security can be ensured by a well-equipped and well-trained professional army, Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza stated in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.
The minister said the National Army during 27 years had been underappreciated and used for image only. That’s why they set the goal of professionalizing the army so that it becomes more powerful. “The professional army will be built based on a medium-term strategy showing our view of army development, where we consider we should invest and wheat we should do with the people. The people are the most valuable resource of the army,” stated Eugen Sturza. According to him, it is much more expensive to annually invest in 3,000-4,000 young people for a year of military service than to maintain a team of professionals who would work permanently.
The minister noted the number of conscript soldiers will be reduced this year, but the number of professionals has already increased. The lack of dwellings is one of the sensitive problems in the recruitment of military personnel. “By the end of this year, we will launch a public-private partnership in Chisinau, which will enable us to determine the necessary number of employer-provided apartments. Also, the Government approved the program “First House II”, stated Eugen Sturza.
He said the restoration of the social package of service members will be considered so that these could travel free by public transport and enjoy a free lunch.
