Defense Minister, Viorel Cibotaru, Visits Brussels

CHISINAU, May 27, 2015 — Minister of Defense, Viorel Cibotaru, paid an official visit to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, during May 26-27.

The Moldovan official met in Brussels with Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, Gen. Knud Bartels, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and other NATO officials.

Minister Cibotaru discussed with his interlocutors about the new security environment of the region, the practical cooperation between Republic of Moldova and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and measures of its enforcement, the stage of implementation of the 2014-2016 Republic of Moldova-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan , as well as about ongoing projects.

The Minister of Defense confirmed our country’s interest in a prompt materialization of the initiatives of modernization of the Armed Forces of Republic of Moldova — “Defense Capacity Building” and the “Interoperability Platform” — to which Republic of Moldova adhered at NATO Summit in Wales.

Ambassador Vershbow welcomed the interest shown by Moldovan authorities concerning the strengthening of the partnership with NATO. He also said that the Organization does not consider the neutrality statute of the Republic of Moldova an obstacle in cooperating with NATO.

The NATO official highly appreciated the contribution of Moldovan servicemembers in the KFOR mission and confirmed NATO’s availability to provide assistance in implementing projects supported by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including the Project on the disposal of pesticides and dangerous chemicals in Moldova., stocked on Moldovan territory.

Minister Cibotaru and Ambassador Vershbow highlighted the importance of starting as soon as possible some concrete projects within “Defense Capacity Building” Initiative, as well as of opening a NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, in order to facilitate the bilateral dialogue and cooperation in promoting security and defense reforms, as well as the implementation of bilateral projects.