President endorses National Security Concept

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has signed the National Security Concept into law, his decree being published in the Official Gazette on June 3, Info-Prim Neo reports. The concept mirrors the general evaluation of the security environment on the national and international planes in which Moldova operates and defines the goal of the national security, the guidelines for the national security, the general values and principles to be protected by the state and society. The Concept expressly stipulates the status of steady neutrality of Moldova, declared as “basic principle, the cornerstone of the national security concept”. This implies Moldova is not part and will not join military blocs, will not participate in military actions and does not allow for the deployment of other states' armies and ammunition on its soil. A chapter of the Concept describes the threats to the national security and refers first to the Transnistrian conflict. According to the document, the ways of solving the conflict will ground on the Constitution. According to the concept, the process of European integration and obtaining the quality of a EU member will positively influence and will strengthen Moldova's security. The documents points out Moldova does not seek to join NATO. The relationships with NATO will have pragmatic character. The relationships with neighboring Romania and Ukraine are said to have the character of a sustainable and constructive partnership. The concept was passed by the Parliament on May 22, with the votes of the Communists and Social-Democrats. The MPs from Moldova Noastra Alliance and several Liberal-Democrats left the floor in sign of protest. The opposition earlier criticized the draft concept, reasoning it promotes an emphasized anti-NATO policy, while it does not ask for the withdrawal of the Russian Army which could contribute to settling the Transnistrian conflict.