Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in Paris

Paris, 7 March 2024 — The Governments of the Republic of Moldova and the French Republic concluded today in Paris an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense.

The document was signed by Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the Elysée Palace in the presence of Moldovan President Maia Sandu and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The document comes in the context of strengthening bilateral cooperation relations and adjusting the legal framework to the current security situation.

“By concluding this agreement, our defense institutions will expand cooperation in several areas both bilaterally and within international organizations.

If until now the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and France in the field of defense was limited to the exchange of military students (cadets), and the professional training of personnel, on the basis of the Agreement, signed in Paris on 15 July 1998, then the agreement signed today contributes significantly to the modernization of the National Army. Strengthening cooperation relations with foreign partners is one of our strategic objectives, and the French Republic, with which we have been cooperating for more than 25 years, like other countries, is one of the countries that could help us achieve this goal,” said the Minister of Defense.

More details on the signed agreement can be found here:

https://www.army.md/?lng=2&action=show&cat=122&obj=8840

Also today in Paris, it was agreed that this year the French defense attaché accredited to the Republic of Moldova will continue to carry out his duties, with his office resident in Chisinau.

This decision follows the official visit to Chisinau of the Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic last September, during which it was announced the intention to inaugurate in the Embassy of the French Republic in the Republic of Moldova the office of the French Defense Attaché (“defense mission”).

In Paris, the Minister of Defense also had a meeting with his French counterpart. The parties discussed the current state of bilateral cooperation and the prospects for intensifying the partnership. The officials also discussed the current security challenges generated by the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine and the need to strengthen cooperation relations in order to maintain stability and security in the region and the world.

Minister Nosatîi thanked the French Government for the assistance provided so far in the language and professional training of the National Army personnel, the exchange of experience between the cadets of the two defense institutions, as well as the logistical support provided recently. At the same time, the Moldovan official appreciated the French Republic’s support for Moldova’s European path and the support within international organizations for the objectives of strengthening our country’s defense capabilities.

It should be noted that Minister Anatolie Nosatîi is in Paris in March this year in a delegation led by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Photo credit: Igor Țurcan