NATO Military Official Visits the Republic of Moldova (video)

CHISINAU, April 23, 2015 — “The Republic of Moldova contributes significantly to the KFOR mission in Kosovo where it participates with an infantry platoon and an EOD team. Thus, the Republic of Moldova is a real contributor to peace and stability and we are grateful for your presence in Kosovo”. The statement was made by Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, during a press briefing held today, together with Minister of Defense, Viorel Cibotaru.

Gen. Bradshaw also mentioned that NATO assisted our country in the reform and military education and training. “Our cooperation relations are very solid and we hope to strengthen this partnership”, said the NATO military official.

Minister of Defense, Viorel Cibotaru, thanked Gen. Bradshaw for the NATO support to the National Army through military education in NATO schools and during multinational exercises within the “Partnership for Peace” Program. “I would like to mention that since Moldova has joined this Program in 1994, the National Army deployed about two thousand soldiers to NATO/PfP exercises. All these exercises aimed to train the troops for real peacekeeping missions which the Moldovan servicemembers still participate in. So, through these exercises, the National Army staff learns to be interoperable with soldiers of other states and gains experience for the modernization of our defense institution”, stated Viorel Cibotaru.

The Minister of Defense appreciated Republic of Moldova’s participation in the “Interoperability Platform” and the “Defense Building Capacity” Initiative, launched in September 2014, at NATO Summit in Wales. “By joining these initiatives, we get assistance in analyzing out current defense capacity and identifying the sectors that need development, as well as obtain support in the education and training field”, said Viorel Cibotaru.

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw pays a visit to Chisinau within April 22-23. The official’s agenda includes meetings with President of the Republic of Moldova, Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Nicolae Timofti, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the National Army Main Staff, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Andrei Galbur, as well as a visit to “Stefan cel Mare” Brigade.

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw is the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Operational Commander of KFOR group led by NATO, and Operational Commander of “Althea” operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina led by the European Union.

General Bradshaw is the first NATO military official to visit Republic of Moldova.