The Secretary of State Valeriu Mija attended the high-level seminar on the prospects of the European Union Eastern Partnership policy in security domain in Vilnius

CHISINAU, October 8, 2021 - The Secretary of State in the field of Defence Policy, National Defence Planning and Military Interoperability, Valeriu Mija, participated between October 6-8 this year in the High Level Seminar entitled "New ambitions for the Eastern Partnership: Priorities of the 2021 Summit for the Eastern Security Partnership", held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

During the event, the official presented the achievements of the Ministry of Defense in the context of the Partnership, but also the priorities of the current government of the Republic of Moldova in the defense and security segment.

Thus, Valeriu Mija informed those present about the objectives of transforming the National Army into a modern institution, adjusted to international standards, priorities for strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of defense and national security with strategic partners of the Republic of Moldova, as well as increasing participation in international peacekeeping operations. In Vilnius, the Secretary of State Mija met with Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Defense Margiris Abukevicius to discuss the partnership between the two states in the military field and the prospects for developing cooperation. The Moldovan official thanked the Lithuanian side for its support in training military and civilian personnel in specialized schools in Lithuania, but also in the Baltic Defense College in Tartu, Estonia.

At the same time, Valeriu Mija appreciated the contribution of the Lithuanian government within the Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI), on various projects aimed at achieving the process of transforming the National Army.

Other topics addressed included Lithuania`s assistance to the National Army`s participation in various activities under the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), including the deployment of the Moldovan military in EU missions to support and promote peace.

For his part, Margiris Abukevicius expressed his readiness to continue defense cooperation with the Republic of Moldova through the effective implementation of initiatives and programs of common interest, including in the segment of promoting military reform in the context of European integration and cultivating security culture and objective perception among the population on the international security environment. The two officials also discussed the possibility of a visit to the Republic of Moldova by the Lithuanian Minister of Defense, Arvydas Anusauskas.