United Kingdom to back programmes on reforming Moldova's defence sector

Chisinau, 9 June /MOLDPRES/ - The National Army and the Second Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment will initiate a partnership programme, similar to the one with the National Guard of the North Carolina State, USA. Defence Minister Anatol Salaru and the commander of the 160 Brigade of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Martyn Gamble, reached an agreement to this end at a meeting today.    

According to the defence minister, the goal of this initiative is to establish a long-lasting cooperation operation, in a special format, which would allow getting tangible results, relevant to the inter-operability. Anatol Salaru specified that, through these programmes, the Moldovan Defence Ministry might benefit from assistance for diverse fields, including the military training one.     

Also, at the meeting, the defence minister and the commander of the 160 Brigade of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland discussed the reform of the defence sector, developing the National Army’s capabilities and the Moldovan-British cooperation.    

For her part, General Gamble said the United Kingdom backed the reforms underway in the defence sector and was willing to initiate new programmes on cooperation with the Moldovan Defence Ministry.  

Also today, Martyn Gamble had a meeting with the acting head of the General Staff, commander of the National Army, brigade general Igor Cutie.  

(Reporter V. Rusu, editor M. Jantovan)