Defense Minister in Tirana: Moldova to increase contribution to SEDM projects' implementation

Chisinau, Nov 7 /MOLDPRES/- Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii attended on Wednesday a meeting of defense ministers within the Southeast Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) Process, held in Tirana, Albania. The Moldovan official met his Romanian counterpart Angel Tîlvăr.

In his address to the countries participating in the event, Nosatii expressed Moldova's commitment to increase contribution to carrying out SEDM projects.

"The Russian-led war in Ukraine continues to generate negative effects and challenges to regional security. At the same time, this is a sign that we need to strengthen our efforts and continue the reforms initiated to safeguard global peace, stability and security. The platform for increasing the resilience of the SEDM member states and other projects of this kind are welcome and require continued commitment, cooperation and a common vision for a peaceful and secure future. I reiterate Moldova's commitment to the SEDM initiatives to contribute to regional and international peace and stability, as well as to the maintenance of good-neighborly relations and defense cooperation among the states of South-East Europe," he said.

The two ministers discussed the recent developments in the security situation in the Black Sea region and the importance of the Romanian side's support in increasing Moldova's resilience to current challenges.

Romania's Minister of National Defense welcomed Moldova's participation, for the first time as a full member, in the SEDM, which is "an important step in the country's integration into the regional security cooperation structures".

In Tirana, the Defense Minister also held talks with Italian Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago. The main topics focused on the current state of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, with an emphasis on the considerable contribution of the Italian side in ensuring the participation of the National Army contingents in the peacekeeping missions KFOR in Kosovo and UNIFIL in Lebanon.

The Republic of Moldova was accepted to participate in the SEDM Process meetings in 2003, with the status of observer and credible contributor to the maintenance of stability and security in the world, being able to respond to the current challenges to regional and international peace, security and stability. On November 22, 2023, our country joined the SEDM Process as a full member.