PM says Moldova cannot afford big army, can, must afford professional army

Chisinau, 20 September /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today visited the National Army’s training military base from the Bulboaca village, eastern Anenii Noi district. At the visit, the PM said that, following the approval of the programme, Professional Army 2018-2021, this year, the number of contract servicemen increased by 300 and the one of conscript soldiers dropped by 400. Under the plan, for 2019, the number of conscript soldiers will decrease by another 1,000 persons, so that, starting from 2021, the military service will no longer be  compulsory, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.      

„Finally, we have a vision for the defence sector. Moldova cannot maintain a very big army, but we are obliged to have a well-trained and professional army. And, certainly, I want you to use guns only during military exercises and trainings,” the prime minister noted.  

Pavel Filip discussed with servicemen the conditions of work, equipments used and also took knowledge about the process of training the military. During the visit, the PM met again the young serviceman whom he handed over the graduation diploma in last June. Pavel Filip wished him success in his professional career.    

The prime minister also attended a multinational exercise, Fire Shield – 2018, held on the purpose of joint training of the armies of the partner countries. About 800 servicemen from the artillery subdivisions of the National Army, representatives of the Carabineer Troops, as well as contingents from Romania and the United States participate in this training. In the context, the PM thanked the partners for the support provided.    

Within the Global Peace Operations Initiative, the USA provided Moldova with financial support worth about four million dollars. The shooting range of the military base was restored and its barracks were modernized with this money.