Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuta Holds Telephone Conversation with His Romanian Counterpart, Corneliu Dobritoiu

CHISINAU, May 17, 2012 — Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta had a phone conversation today afternoon with his Romanian counterpart Corneliu Dobritoiu.

At the beginning of the discussion, Vitalie Marinuta congratulated Corneliu Dobritoiu on his assignment as Minister of National Defense of Romania, wishing him success and great achievements in all the defense and security programs assumed by the new Government of Romania sworn-in May 7.

The officials made review of the current Moldovan-Romanian military relationship. The parties agreed on keeping developing it through bilateral cooperation programs currently implemented in the defense sector. According to the ministers, the conclusion of the Updated Defense Cooperation Agreement between Republic of Moldova and Romania April 2012 opens a new page in the mutually profitable cooperation between the military institutions of the countries and reveals new trends of cooperation in the area under consideration.

In his turn, Vitalie Marinuta appreciated the stable development of bilateral defense cooperation between our states through the exchange of experts, mutual visits, scholarship awarded for Moldovan officers in military educational institutions from Romania.

Corneliu Dobritoiu assured the Romanian party would keep supporting the Republic of Moldova’ efforts of European integration, reformation and modernization of the security and defense system, development of the National Army in compliance with the international requirements.

The Moldovan and the Romanian Defense Ministers decided to continue their constructive dialogue, as well as extend military bilateral cooperation in 2013 by carrying out joint command and main staff exercises, exchanging observers in the training process, consultancy on defense policy and planning issues, and others.