Minister Sturza and Ambassador Hogan Talk about the Moldovan-American Defense Cooperation

CHISINAU, November 26, 2018 — Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza and the new Ambassador of the USA in the Republic of Moldova, Dereck J. Hogan, reviewed today the bilateral cooperation and talked about the opportunities of intensifying the Moldovan-American defense dialogue.

On this occasion, Minister Sturza informed the American diplomat about the most recent achievements of the military reform, with a focus on the project of professionalizing the National Army, development and approval of strategic documents, and starting certain programs aimed to enhance the quality of life for the sector’s military and civilian staff.

Eugen Sturza also thanked for the constant support of the US Government for the modernization of the National Army through assistance and training programs oriented towards consolidating Moldova’s defense system. In this regard, the Minister referred to the training of service members in specialized educational institutions from the USA, where, so far, about 500 soldiers have studied, providing equipment and vehicles, as well as the joint activities and exercises conducted together with the North Carolina National Guard.

The Minister of Defense mentioned the USA’s contribution to the renovation of the National Army Military Training Base from Bulboaca in the framework of Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) that had the objective to create optimal training conditions for Moldovan service members.

Ambassador Hogan appreciated the achievements obtained by the Ministry of Defense in implementing the defense reform and stated that the United States of American will continue to support the National Army’s modernization through assistance projects and programs.

The two officials also talked about the regional situation and the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict by peaceful means.