Moldovan Minister of Defense meets with his Latvian counterpart

CHISINAU, May 20, 2011 — Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta met today with the Deputy Prime-Minister for European Union Presidency, Latvian Minister of Defense, Artis Pabriks, at the Latvian Ministry of Defense headquarters from Riga.

The officials discussed about the perspectives of bilateral defense cooperation and defense reforms. Vitalie Marinuta thanked his counterpart for the Latvian support in teaching National Army military staff and contribution to the establishment of the School of Sergeants from Cahul.

Vitalie Marinuta and Artis Pabriks focused their attention on enhancing defense reform implementation process and strengthening civilian control of the military. Thus, the Moldovan Minister of Defense pointed to the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to European integration, democratization of the society, as well as development of cooperation with international institutions and organizations. Vitalie Marinuta revealed the desire of the country to promote a proper neighboring policy and maintain regional security and stability. Therefore, Minister Marinuta stated the Transnistrian conflict needed to be settled to maintain stability and security in South East Europe, as well as all over the world.

At the end of the meeting, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta and his counterpart Artis Pabriks held a press briefing to reply to Latvian mass-media questions about Moldovan-Latvian defense cooperation area.

On May 20, the Moldovan Minister of Defense will meet with a few Latvian officials and visit Cesis School of Non-Commissioned Officers. Vitalie Marinuta will also meet with the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valdis Kristovskis, Chairman of Saeima European Affairs Committee, Imants Lieģis and the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš.

The Latvian officials will discuss about the results of Moldovan-Latvian bilateral activities and priorities of further cooperation. The parties will also focus on the defense reform issue and civilian control of the military.

The Defense Minister of the Republic of Moldova arrived to Latvia May 19 evening after a visit to Lithuania, where he had concluded the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania. The greeting ceremony of the Moldovan Minister of Defense was held Friday, May 20, at Oskars Kalpaks Monument.

The Republic of Moldova Minister’s of Defense visit to Baltic countries, Lithuania and Latvia, started May 18 and lasted three days.