Moldovan president attends Fire Schield 2017 exercise

Chisinau, 22 September /MOLDPRES/- President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Igor Dodon was present at the Fire Shield 2017 exercise, held at the military training base of the National Army in Bulboaca, and aims to strengthen training staff of the National Army in the execution of the combat missions, the presidential press service has reported.

The head of state was familiar with the activities of the artillery battalion staff and control and observation point of the artillery battalion for organizing and conducting combat operations. Also, he attended the firing of servicemen in order to assess the training of artillery systems, military equipment and artillery subunit communication equipment.

According to a press release, “Dodon praised that Moldovan soldiers show a high level of training, despite the deplorable situation in which the Armed Forces and Defence Ministry are today, due to Euro-Union government”.

In this context, Dodon reiterated “we need the modernization of the army, reforms and implementation of standards that meet the current requirements, which only professional leadership can do”.

The head of state noted that the ministry must have competent, apolitical, responsible and talented people able to manage the National Army, to observe the constitutional principles and legislation of Moldova. At the same time, Dodon reminded that Moldova is a neutral state and does not want to fight with anybody, the press release also reads.

Referring to the candidate proposed by government and parliamentary majority for the office of defense minister, the president noted that the person does not correspond to any criteria.

“For these reasons, I will not recognize Mr. Eugen Sturza as defense minister, regardless of the opinion of government and parliamentary majority. I would like to mention that in line with the Constitution, the cabinet members begin their mandate from the moment of taking the oath before the president, and I will not take the oath of Mr. Sturza, even if a decision of the Constitutional Court is delivered on the matter. Therefore, he will not be able to perform the task", he concluded.