USA supports project of reconstruction, modernization of military training base of National army by GPOI Program in Moldova

Chisinau, 10 August /MOLDPRES/ – The U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, James Pettit, along with the deputy head of the General Staff of the National Army, Colonel Eduard Ohladciuc, visited the Military Training Base of the National Army where he documented the reconstruction and modernization of the military base, the Framework Program for the Global for Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI) funded by the Government of the United States of America.

The officials visited the multipurpose field and the two modernized courses during the first stage of the project, as well as the annexes of three barracks under construction. Ambassador Pettit and Colonel Ohladciuc also went to the military base compartment for theoretical training and the tactical town which are to be renovated and used for the practical training of National Army soldiers detached in the UN mandate peacekeeping operation.

Colonel Eduard Ohladciuc thanked the US Government for the constant support given to the National Army through various training and assistance programs, including within the GPOI. "We joined this program because we wanted to improve the training conditions of the National Army's military staff participating in the UN international peacekeeping operation, and the USA has given this opportunity to us. We still count on the support of our American partners and we hope to carry out beneficial activities for the armies of both countries," said Colonel Ohladciuc.

Interviewed by journalists if the USA suspended 12.7 million in financial support to the National Army, Pettit said it was not financial aid, it has been a break in the provision of equipment, because it was needed a concrete plan for the further participation of the National Army missions abroad.

The GPOI program was founded in 2004 and represents the U.S. contribution to the G8 Action Plan for expanding international peacekeeping operations. Since 1997, the GPOI and its predecessors have been trained in more than 53 countries. The Republic of Moldova joined the GPOI program in 2012 to improve the training conditions for National Army troops deployed in UN peacekeeping peace-keeping missions. The program provides for the modernization of the Military Training Base of the National Army.

The National Army has been participating in international peacekeeping missions since 1997 with a total of about 300 officers and non-commissioned officers in Iraq, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Georgia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo.

(Reporter V. Rusu, editor M. Jantovan)