A New National Army Contingent Leaves for Kosovo (video)

CHISINAU, December 6, 2018 — The Republic of Moldova will increase its presence in international theaters of operations and peacekeeping missions, thus contributing to the European and international security. The statement was made by Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza during the ceremony organized today at the Ministry of Defense for the deployment of the tenth National Army contingent to the peacekeeping mission KFOR.

Eugen Sturza mentioned that only the service members who are best-trained, rigorously selected, and have all the requirements for participation are to leave for Kosovo. The Minister of Defense urged them to represent the National Army in the KFOR missions with professionalism.

“You will carry our State Flag and will make the Republic of Moldova known in Kosovo. I encourage you to gather knowledge from our partners, from modern armies that are participating in this mission and, when you return home, to implement here the best practices,” said the Minister of Defense to the Moldovan peacekeepers.

Eugen Sturza thanked the US and the Italian Governments for the support offered for the deployment and the presence of the National Army contingent in the KFOR operation.

Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Italy in Chisinau, Antonio Ionio, mentioned that his country appreciates and supports Moldova’s will to contribute to Europe’s stability and security and that Italy is happy to host a new platoon of Moldovan soldiers within Multinational Battle Group West of the KFOR mission in Kosovo that is under its command.

The tenth National Army contingent consists of 41 service members out of whom one staff officer, seven engineers and a platoon of 33 infantrymen who will carry out missions of security and guard of military facilities, as well as patrol missions.

The Moldovan service members will leave for Kosovo on December 8 and will be stationed at “Camp Villaggio Italia” multinational base from Pech village, Kosovo. Their mandate will last six months.