English
Moldovan Peacekeepers – 20 Years On DutyCHISINAU, July 25, 2012 — As long as we have a mission to carry out, we should do it with honor and dignity, so that upon completion, we be able to say “Mission Accomplished!”. I am proud that, over the past 20 years, peace has been maintained in the Security Area of the Republic of Moldova due to the National Army peacekeepers, those who are in charge of building and maintaining peace in this area, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta stated during the official 20th anniversary ceremony since the establishment of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Security Area, hosted by the 1st Peacekeeping Battalion from Cocieri, Dubasari. According to the Minister of Defense, over the past 20 years, the National Army’s main goal was to maintain peace in the Eastern districts of the country. “However, the military mission here is over, that’s why it should be transformed into an international civil mission that would just observe the process in the Security Area”, Vitalie Marinuta specified. Deputy Chairperson of the Joint Control Commission on behalf of the Republic of Moldova, Ion Solonenco, stated that maintaining peace in the Transnistrian area is the most important state mission meant to build peace and security of the population in the region. “As part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, the Moldovan peacekeepers show much commitment in carrying out their duties in the Security Area, supporting stability in this area”, Ion Solonenco said. During the ceremony, the best peacekeepers were awarded medals and diplomas for excellent execution of service duty, contribution to a high level readiness of units and high professionalism. The same day, the renovated barrack was presented in Cocieri. The repair works of the barrack to host conscripts are estimated at nearly one million MDL allocated from the state budget with the support of the Reintegration Bureau. The Joint Peacekeeping Forces consist of three groups: Russian Army Group, Republic of Moldova Force Group and Tiraspol Force Group. The National Army deployed two battalions and an infantry company to Cocieri, Cosnita and Varnita of the Security Area. There are a total of 15 checkpoints and nearly 1500 officers deployed to the 225 km length and |
