A New National Army Contingent Joins KFOR Mission

CHISINAU, June 2, 2017 — The deployment ceremony of the seventh National Army contingent to KFOR peacekeeping operation in Kosovo was held today at the Ministry of Defense. The event was attended by Government representatives, civil and military diplomatic corps, as well as families of the officers and NCOs deployed to KFOR mission.

Ambassador of Italy to Chisinau, Valeria Biagiotti, stated that Italy appreciates the availability of the Moldovan Government to participate within the Multinational Battle Group — West in the KFOR peacekeeping operation. “The deployment of the contingent within the Italian task force in Kosovo proves that Moldova, which is a neutral country, wishes to be an actor that is present and active on international level”, said Valeria Biagiotti.

During the ceremony, Prime-Minister’s advisor, retired Maj. Gen. Ion Coropcean, appreciated the Moldovan service members’ professionalism within the KFOR peacekeeping operation. “The excellent performance of National Army officers and NCOs deployed to Kosovo is a reason to be proud for the entire society. The Government have supported and will continue to support the National Army’s effort to develop its peacekeeping potential”, mentioned Ion Coropcean.

Deputy Defense Minister Gheorghe Galbura thanked the Italian Government and the US Government for the logistics, medical, and transportation support offered to Moldovan service members in the theater of operations. The official also expressed his gratitude to the Government, Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and citizens of the Republic of Moldova for the trust in the 250 National Army officers and NCOs who, so far, participated in the KFOR operation.

“Thanks to your support we were able to prove that the defense institution has a peacekeeping potential that is harnessed today to the fullest extent not only in Kosovo, but also in other missions, where the Moldovan army is present alongside the armies of other countries contributing to global security”, specified Gheorghe Galbura.

The seventh National Army contingent, that will leave for Kosovo on Monday, June 5, consists of 41 service members, out of which one staff officer, 7 engineers, and a platoon of 33 soldiers that will carry out security, guard and patrol missions.

The Moldovan service members will be stationed in Camp Villaggio Italia multinational base in Pech village, Kosovo. Their mission in Kosovo will last six months.