Moldovan president suspends government decision on servicemen participation in military drills in Ukraine

Chisinau, 6 September /MOLDPRES/- President Igor Dodon today suspended the government decision on participation of Moldovan soldiers in military drills in Ukraine.

According to the president, the government violated the provisions of the law on national defense stipulating that “participation of units of the National Army outside the territory of the country with military personnel, weapons and equipment in joint military exercises with military units of other states shall be approved by Supreme Commander of Armed Forces”.

“In accordance with the Constitution of Moldova, I decided to suspend the government decision on Moldovan servicemen participation in military drills in Ukraine. For the first time as head of state, I decided to make use of my constitutional right, which states that the president “suspends the acts of the government contrary to the law until the final decision of the Constitutional Court”, Dodon said.

At the same time, the head of state noted “Moldova is a neutral state according to the Constitution, and Moldovan soldiers do not have to participate in military exercises conducted under the aegis of one or another military bloc. At the same time, we will not impede participation of Moldovan soldiers in peacekeeping exercises under the aegis of the UN”.

The government approved today a decision on participation of Moldovan servicemen in “Rapid Trident” training course in Ukraine. The issue was on the agenda at the suggestion of Prime Minister Pavel Filip, who was concerned that Dodon forbids Moldovan soldiers to take part in training abroad, where the National Army staff gain experience.

(Reporter V. Ciobanu, editor A. Răileanu)