Vitalie Marinuta Meets with Ambassadors of NATO Neutral Countries

CHISINAU, June 18, 2013 — Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta met today with a group of Ambassadors of Austria and Switzerland, that participated in the seminar “Security policy of neutral and non-aligned European countries and cooperation with NATO”, held at the Ministry of Defense.

The talks focused on the experience of neutral European countries in the development and implementation of neutrality concept and promotion of security and defense policy. The parties also discussed about the development of global security cooperation, as well as participation in peacekeeping missions.

According to Minister Vitalie Marinuta, such events are designed to inform public opinion about the neutrality status of Republic of Moldova and cooperation with North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), through a variety of projects in the security and defense areas, as well as engagement in peacekeeping and peace building missions. “The neutrality policy of Austria, Switzerland and other states is a model of cooperation with NATO for Republic of Moldova, including the issue of participation in NATO-led operations. Therefore, we are currently working on deploying a Moldovan military contingent to Kosovo”, Vitalie Marinuta said.

The European officials appreciated Republic of Moldova’s achievements in the defense and security areas and our country’s commitment to promoting global security. Moreover, there is an Agreement on Republic of Moldova’s participation in EU crisis management missions, concluded last year that gives our country the possibility to contribute to maintaining regional and global security, including by actively taking part in the EU foreign and security policy.

The meeting with the Defense Minister brought together Karl Scharmek, Embassy of Austria to Belgium, Permanent Mission of Austria at NATO, Gerhard Jandl, Head of the Department for Security Policy and Common Foreign Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Michael Schwarzinger, Ambassador of Austria to Romania and Moldova (residence in Bucharest), Christian Schoenenberger, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and Moldova (residence in Kiev), and other European officials.

The seminar “Security policy of neutral and non-aligned European countries and cooperation with NATO” is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, in partnering with the Embassy of Austria to Chisinau and the Ministry of Defense.