Moldovan defence minister meets American senior officers

Chisinau, 16 February /MOLDPRES/-Defence Minister Anatol Salaru on 15 February held talks with a group of American senior officers,  on a fact-collecting visit to Moldova on 12-16 February. The main issues on the agenda were focused on reform in the defence sector, main strategic documents in military field, Moldovan servicemen’s participation in international peacekeeping missions, as well as the contribution of the USA and international organizations OSCE, EU and NATO to achieving national defence goals.

Salaru said the purpose of the ministry’s leadership was to reform and get the army to Euro-Atlantic standards, as the National Army needed active and well-rained forces, modern weapon systems and military equipment, which would allow and ensure carrying out missions provided for in the Constitution. “The goals weI have assumed stipulate earmarking financial resources exceeding the current budget of the Defence Ministry. And here, the assistance on behalf of the partners becomes essential,” Anatol Salaru said.

Salaru appreciated the supported provided by the U.S. Government in all important fields, including the social, economic and educational ones. “This assistance proves that the United States is a strategic and reliable partner for our country. I appreciate the cooperation in military sector with the USA and I hope these relations will be strengthened”, he said.

The American delegation is made up of 17 generals and admirals, as well as one civilian within the Senior Executive Service of the Department of State. All of them are attending the Capstone course.

A capstone course provides opportunity to recently promoted officers and executive officials to study national security and foreign policy.

(Reporter V. Rusu, editor M. Jantovan)