The Second Phase of DCBI Is Launched in Brussels

CHISINAU, October 23, 2018 — The project “Building Capabilities in Military Medicine” has been launched on Monday, October 22, at NATO’s Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in the presence of General State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova, Radu Burduja, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania, Head of Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat.

The launching event has been organized by Romania’s Permanent Delegation to NATO and Alliance’s Defense Policy and Planning Division.

Radu Burduja mentioned that the project initiates the second phase of the Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI) and will be implemented in the Republic of Moldova with the support of NATO “DCB Trust Fund”.

According to the General State Secretary, “Building Capabilities in Military Medicine” provides for technical assistance and training for the National Army’s military units and institutions, including first-aid kits for interventions on the battlefield. The project will be funded by Romania — leader state, Germany, Italy, and Turkey.

“I would like to thank Romania for accepting the role of leader-state in the implementation of the project, especially to Mr. Raed Arafat for personal involvement in the project’s development,” said Radu Burduja in Brussels.

The Republic of Moldova was accepted by NATO as part of the Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI) in September, 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales. The Initiatives provides for assistance in order to assess the current defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova and to identify the areas in need of development. The Initiative’s first phase ended with the approval of the strategic documents — National Defense Strategy and Military Strategy — developed with the support of NATO experts. The second phase includes providing assistance, also through the establishment of trust funds for the Republic of Moldova which will significantly contribute to the development of the national defense system.