Homage to UN Peacekeepers

CHISINAU, May 29, 2018 — As the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the country’s commitment to peace and security across the globe. And, most importantly, I would like to thank the Moldovans serving in peacekeeping operations for the important contribution they are making for the cause of peace. This day is dedicated to them. The statement was made by Dafina Gercheva during the ceremony organized today at the Ministry of Defense on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

The event was attended by the National Army Commanding Corps, representatives of the Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, defense attaches, military and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.

Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza stated that May 29 is the day on which the international community honors the military, police, and civilians from 125 countries who are currently supporting peace in the most dangerous places of the globe under the United Nations’ flag. “It is with pride that I mention that among these brave men and women there are nine service members from the National Army who are currently in missions in South Sudan, Central African Republic, Kosovo, and the USA, at the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I have the same respect for the other 110 National Army peacekeepers who, since 2003, have been wearing the blue beret and carried the tricolor flag with pride, protecting those who are the most vulnerable — children and women, in countries affected by war”, said the Minister of Defense.

Eugen Sturza also mentioned that, this year, the Ministry of Defense has initiated a vast reform by starting many ambitious projects with the objective of having a better army that is better-trained and interoperable with the armies of other countries. “One of these projects aims to increase participation in international peacekeeping operations and I am strongly convinced that we will be able to achieve this objective. Because we have professional military with skills tested in theaters of operations and training areas of many European countries and the USA”, highlighted the Minister of Defense.

On the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the service members who participated in missions received Diplomas of the Government and the Medal “For Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Missions” of the National Army.

The participants also observed a minute of silence in the memory of the military, police, and civilians who died during UN operations.

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated May 29 as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers through Resolution 57/129. On this day, in 1948, the first UN peacekeeping mission “United Nations Truce Supervision Organization” started in Palestine.

This year, the Republic of Moldova marks 15 years of participation in UN operations. A total of 119 National Army officers — men and women — have been present in theaters of operations from Sudan, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Georgia, and Kosovo.