Top NATO Generals Arrived in Moldova

Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza has met today with Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Partnerships Directorate of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Major General Odd Egil Pedersen. The talks included topics related to the defense cooperation of the Republic of Moldova with the North Atlantic Alliance and the assistance offered by the allied nations in the framework of the National Army’s development and modernization, reports Ministry of Defense. In this regard the Minister of Defense thanked the official for NATO’s support for the defense and security sector’s reformation. Eugen Sturza referred to the programs and projects implemented by the Alliance in our country, including the Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI), the Interoperability Platform, Building Integrity Initiative (BII), Individual Partnership Action Plan Republic of Moldova – NATO, and the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP). “During the 24 years of partnership with the Alliance, our country has been able, through these programs, to adjust its legal framework, to obtain expertise in developing the strategic documents, and to build its national defense system”, said Eugen Sturza. Today Major General Pedersen also met with Brigadier General Igor Cutie, National Army Commander. The two military officials talked about the training of National Army service members in NATO educational institutions and within multinational exercises. “All these officers and non-commissioned officers – women and men wearing uniforms – studied the best practices acquired in international theaters of operations in elite NATO schools and tested their interoperability at international exercises”, mentioned Brigadier General Cutie. In his turn, the Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Partnerships Directorate, SHAPE, appreciated the contribution of the Moldovan military to KFOR operation in Kosovo. “Moldova has made an active contribution to NATO’s presence in Kosovo since 2014 (KFOR), and I thank you for that. We have been impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the Moldovan armed forces, as well as the civilian members of the Ministry of Defense, who support KFOR”, said Major General Pedersen. The official added that the Alliance will continue to discuss areas of mutual interest with the Ministry of Defense and will continue to build upon gains. It should be pointed out that the Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Partnerships Directorate, SHAPE, is paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova within August 21-23, 2018, at the invitation of the National Army Commander. The official will visit the military units and will hold public lectures for the military and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defense.