Moldovan acting PM summons new cabinet meeting on Moldovan citizens captured in Afghanistan

Chisinau, 10 December /MOLDPRES/-The cabinet today held a working meeting on the situation of the Moldovan citizens captured in Afghanistan, after the helicopter they were onboard had been downed, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

The participants in the meeting unveiled the most recent information to elucidate the circumstances of the accident in Afghanistan on 24 November 2015. Deputy Prime Minister, acting Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman spoke about the diplomatic actions taken in this respect, as well as the latest information offered by the states Moldova had asked support from.

Gherman noted that the subject was permanently monitored by the members of the Crisis Cell created within the Foreign and European Integration Ministry. The cell held its latest meeting on 9 December, during which the sides agreed on a string of measures to facilitate the repatriation of the Moldovan crew members.

The helicopter belonging to VALAN MI17-1V Air Company was downed and captured in Afghanistan on 24 November 2015. Three Moldovan crew members and 18 Afghan citizens were onboard. The company provided civil air flights for Afghan security forces based on a contract signed with the AIRCRAFT CHARTER SOLUTIONS company, for the MAG DS  Corp. company, the main contractor of the U.S. government.

(Editor M. Jantovan)