Chief of Defense Staff of Italy Pays His First Visit to Moldova (video)

CHISINAU, June 8, 2018 — Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza met today with Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Claudio Graziano. The military official is paying his first visit to the Republic of Moldova at the invitation of National Army Commander, Brigadier Gen. Igor Cutie, within June 8-9, 2018.

The officials talked about the regional security and the Moldovan-Italian defense cooperation.

Eugen Sturza presented Gen. Graziano the institution’s priorities and informed him about the projects started in the framework of the defense reformation that has the objective to modernize the National Army.

The Minister of Defense also thanked the Italian Government for the military equipment and vehicles donated at the beginning of this year and for training the National Army military and public servants in Italian educational institutions.

The Minister of Defense appreciated the Italian financial contribution within the PfP/NATO Project on the disposal of pesticides in the Republic of Moldova as well.

Also today, Gen. Claudio Graziano met with his counterpart, Brigadier Gen. Igor Cutie.

Gen. Cutie informed the Italian Chief of Defense about the National Army’s objectives, with a focus on developing the military capabilities, the National Army’s professionalization, as well as the participation in external operations. Gen. Cutie appreciated the Italian Army’s support for the Moldovan service members who are deployed in KFOR mission in Kosovo.

Gen. Graziano mentioned that, during their mission, the Moldovan peacekeepers proved that they are well-trained and their performance has been appreciated by the Italian General Officers who have alternated as Commanders of the KFOR mission.

At the end of the meeting, the two officials reiterated the mutual interest for expanding and strengthening the cooperation between the Army of the Republic of Moldova and the Army of Italy.