Defense Minister Visits UTA Gagauzia

CHISINAU, May 16, 2012 — UTA Gagauzia authorities are interested in enhancing cooperation with the Ministry of Defense in order to educate the Gagauz youth’s values of patriotism and love for country, UTA Gagauzia Governor, Mihail Formuzal, stated during the meeting with Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuta, who went on a working visit to Gagauzia May 15.

During the talks, Vitalie Marinuta and Mihail Formuzal discussed about some possibilities of holding more patriotic education activities for the UTA Gagauzia youth, as well as some aspects of military service in the Armed Forces meant for young people from the autonomous region, including studies at Alexandru cel Bun Military Academy. Thus, Mihail Formuzal asked the Minister of Defense to consider the possibility of increasing the number of young people in Gagauzia required for the military service in order to give more men the chance to serve in the army.

The leaders of the Ministry of Defense and UTA Gagauzia also put under discussion the problem of liquidation of pesticides from three districts of the region. Vitalie Marinuta assured the local authorities the chemicals would be removed from the territory as soon as the pesticide liquidation project is implemented by the military institution in common with its international partners.

Vitalie Marinuta and Mihai Formuzal attended the commemoration event of 12 citizens of UTA Gagauzia dead in Afghan War, carried out by the Regional Afghan Union on the 15^th anniversary since the inauguration of the monument of heroes dead in war.

The Minister of Defense also met with the students of Comrat State University to discuss about the situation in the National Army, reform and modernization of the military institution, as well as some programs to be implemented in future.