NATO to consolidate partnership with Moldova

Chisinau, 2 June /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici today met members of NATO's Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee (PCSC). The discussion was focused on the situation in Moldova and in the region, Moldova-NATO cooperation and its development perspectives, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.

The prime minister reviewed the government's goals and promoted policies, referring to the three basic priorities: national unity, supremacy of law and sustainable economy. At the same time, Gaburici touched upon the internal and external challenges faced by the country, among which Transnistrian settlement, export restrictions on eastern market, crisis in the financial and banking system, as well as the tense situation triggered by the armed conflict from the neighboring country, Ukraine.

The prime minister stressed the role of Moldovan partners in meeting the set goals and ensuring the country's security. "All initiatives and reforms promoted by the Moldovan government are aimed at the good of citizen and we further rely on an efficient cooperation will all partners, in order to ensure stability and security of Moldova," he said.

For their part, the members of the delegation of the Committee expressed interest in the situation in the Moldova, policies promoted by the government, actions meant to overcome problems caused by the embargo imposed by Russia on some Moldovan products and strengthening the defence and security capacities of the country.

Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, NATO Secretary General's  Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai said that the visit was a good occasion to talk about goals, policies and possibilities to strengthen the relations between Moldova and NATO member states.

"The Moldova-NATO cooperation is based on a history of more years and important steps were made to this end. At the same time, we are set to develop our partnership, including by different initiatives on building capacities in the security sector", he said.

This is the first visit to Chisinau by a NATO committee for Moldova. The delegation is made up of representatives of neutral states from Europe - Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Ireland.

(Editor M. Jantovan)