Republic of Moldova – Without Pesticides!

CHISINAU, June 28, 2018 — The last batch of pesticides from the Republic of Moldova was evacuated today from Singerei district as part of the NATO/Partnership for Peace Project on the disposal of dangerous pesticides and chemicals in the Republic of Moldova. On this occasion, a ceremony marking the project’s ending was organized in Alexandreni village. The event was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Pavel Filip, Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza, ambassadors appointed to our country, military, and representatives of local public authorities.

The Chief of the Executive highlighted that the successful implementation of this project showcases the efficiency of the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO, including the area of ecological security. Pavel Filip thanked all those who were involved in the process of evacuation of chemicals and mentioned the contribution of NATO, partner countries, and the over 800 National Army service members. “You worked in difficult conditions, even dangerous, and today, our citizens are very grateful to you”, said Pavel Filip.

Ambassador of Romania in Chisinau, Daniel Ionita, stated that today is a historical day for the Republic of Moldova because its citizens have benefited from this vast project. “The most important aspect has been the cooperation between NATO member and partner states, as well as of international and national institutions that provided everything that was needed in order to successfully finish this project”, mentioned Ambassador Ionita.

Representative of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, Orhan Muratli, underlined the enormous value of this project that brings important benefits and ensures a healthy environment for the Moldovan citizens.

Orhan Muratli thanked the Republic of Moldova for the successful implementation of the project and all NATO member and partner states for the significant contribution within this project.

Eugen Sturza mentioned that, within the project, the Ministry of Defense was responsible for the implementation and provided teams of service members who prepared the pesticides for evacuation through repacking, palletizing, marking, fixing, weighing. “I am glad that, alongside national authorities and international organizations, we were able to free our country from the tons of pesticide waste that, for many years, have been threatening the health and safety of Moldova’s population. Today, after 16 years of hard work and joint efforts, we successfully finished this project that is so important for our country”, said Minister Sturza.

Minister Sturza thanked the North Atlantic Alliance and the partner states, especially the Government of Romania — project’s leader state and main donor, the Ukrainian Government that allowed the cross-border transportation of the pesticide waste on its territory, and the Polish Government for the support in destroying the pesticides at the SARPI Dabrowa Gornicza incinerator.

During the event, a group of National Army service members who participated in the preparation and evacuation of the pesticides received Diplomas from the Government and National Army medals.

According to Col. Mariana Grama, manager of the NATO/PfP Project on the disposal of dangerous pesticides and chemicals in the Republic of Moldova, today, 31 tons of pesticides out of the about 140 tons collected in Balti city, Drochia, Edinet, and Singerei districts were evacuated from the regional warehouse from Alexandreni village. The pesticides have been loaded on two trucks and transported to SARPI Dabrowa Gornicza plant from Poland in order to be thermally destroyed.

The source mentioned that the substances were prepared for evacuation by a team consisting of six service members from “Stefan cel Mare” Brigade together with the representatives of E.S. Field Services Veolia Company from Great Britain.

This is the last batch out of the 1,269 tons of chemical substances stored in 15 central warehouses in Anenii Noi, Ialoveni, Basarabeasca, Taraclia, Cahul, Donduseni, Drochia, Leova, Soroca, Calarasi, Glodeni, Comrat, Edinet, Falesti, Ceadir-Lunga, Singerei districts and the regional warehouse from Ungheni district and Balti city.

The NATO/PfP Project on the disposal of dangerous pesticides and chemicals in the Republic of Moldova was launched in 2003. The project’s overall cost is of 2.2 million euros that were offered by Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.