Priorities of Moldova-NATO cooperation discussed in Brussels

Chisinau, 10 September /MOLDPRES/ - Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Oleg Tulea today discussed prospects of the partnership between Moldova and the North Atlantic Alliance at a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana. The sides backed the further support of the processes of reformation and modernization in Moldova, based on requests by the Chisinau authorities, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s press service has reported.   

Oleg Tulea and Mircea Geoana reviewed up-to-date subjects on the Moldova-NATO cooperation agenda and reiterated the sides’ interest in continuing the political dialogue and implementation of practical progammes in the sectors agreed by common consent. In particular, the officials highlighted activities for approving a new Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), implementation of NATO’s assistance package for strengthening Moldova’s defence and security capacities, carrying out of projects within the Science for Peace and Security Programme, cooperation in combating the new threats to security, promoting activities on the segment of public diplomacy and strategic communication.  

Minister Oleg Tulea conveyed the Moldovan authorities’ appreciation for NATO’s expertise and assistance provided to Moldova during years. He stressed the commitment for finishing the process of IPAP’s approval, which will set the priority cooperation sectors with the Alliance for the period 2020-2022.      

The Moldovan diplomat welcomed the Alliance’s willingness to provide Moldova with a new Professional Development Programme (PDP), which will help achieve the goals of training, promotion of the processes of reform and modernization of the national security and defence sector. At the same time, proceeding from present realities, Minister Oleg Tulea thanked the NATO member states for the solidarity proved in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.   

For his part, Mircea Geoana reconfirmed the commitment of the Alliance for developing a mutually advantageous cooperation with Moldova, in the spirit of the country’s neutrality status. The high NATO official emphasized also Moldova’s added value contribution to strengthening the security in Europe, through the participation of Moldovan servicemen in the KFOR peacekeeping operation in Kosovo.