Moldovan Defence Minister: NATO, UE countries insist on Russian army's withdrawal from Transnitria
14:27 | 12.07.2016 Category: Political
Chisinau, July 12 /MOLDPRES/ – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union countries will insist on Russia withdrawing its army from Transnistria. Defence Minister Anatol Salaru made statements to this effect at a today's news briefing.
The official noted that, in his speech given at the recent NATO Summit, he had asked for the support on behalf of the organization 's members states for the evacuation of the Russian army “unlawfully deployed in Transnistria. I also requested backing for replacing the current peacekeeping format from Transnistria by a civilian mission under UN mandate,” added Anatol Salaru.
The defence minister said that, according to NATO summit's final declaration, the Alliance remains committed to cooperation with Moldova, in order to ensure its stable, secure and prosperous future. “NATO will continue contributing to the Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Initiative, and Moldova should assume implementation of the reforms beneficial for all residents," said Salaru.
“The participants in the NATO Summit discussed much the situation in Moldova. The Alliance respects the neutrality of our country, and its goal is not to bring the army in Moldova, but create conditions for implementing reforms and for citizens to live in a safe country, where the fundamental human rights and freedoms are guaranteed. The objective is to help Moldova create a modern army, able to defend itself,” said Defense Minister.
The NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, was held on 8 – 9 July and was focused on the situation in NATO’s eastern flank.
(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor M. Jantovan)