New Moldovan-Estonian Defense Cooperation Agreement Concluded

CHISINAU, October 19, 2011 — The Republic of Moldova Defense Minister and the Defense Minister of Estonia concluded Wednesday, October 19, a Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The document was signed in Tallin by Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta and his Estoniana counterpart, Mart Laar, within an official visit of Republic of Moldova Prime Minister Vlad Filat to Baltic countries such as Estonia and Lithuania.

The Moldovan Minister of Defense stated the agreement makes the bilateral defense cooperation legal and enhances the mutually profitable cooperation in different areas.

“Due to this agreement, we will have the opportunity to cooperate in different domains, including security policy and doctrine, democratic control of the armed forces, state budget planning and development, professional training, crisis management, logistics, peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations”, the Minister of Defense said.

The Estonian Minister of Defense, Mart Laar, pointed out the above agreement covers a wide variety of cooperation activities.

“This cooperation includes official visits and meetings with experts, exchange of experience, information and staff of mutual interest, engagement in dialogues, negotiations, trainings, seminars and conferences”, Mart Laar stated.

The Moldovan-Estonian defense cooperation implies servicemen’s participation in different joint activities carried out within the Partnership for Peace Program. Since 2006, five National Army servicemen have completed military training courses at the Baltic Defense College from Tartu, Estonia.

It is worth mentioning the Moldovan Defense Minister’s visit to Estonia and Lithuania during October 19 — 21 is part of the official visit of Republic of Moldova Prime Minister Vladimir Filat to Baltic States.