Minister of Defense Alexandru Pinzari had a meeting with His Excellency, US Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Dereck J. Hogan

CHISINAU, May 12, 2020 - The Minister of Defense Alexandru Pinzari had a meeting with His Excellency, the US Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Dereck J. Hogan at the headquarters of the defense institution.

The officials discussed the current state of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, with special emphasis on training the Moldovan military in US institutions, the assistance provided by the US in the field of logistics and renovation of the National Army infrastructure.

At the same time, Minister Pinzari and Ambassador Hogan addressed the situation in the country and in the world regarding the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken by the National Army to prevent infection, as well as the need to suspend bilateral activities indefinitely until the epidemiological situation improves.

Alexandru Pinzari thanked the American official for approving, at his request, a donation of protective equipment worth US $ 15,000 for military doctors, in the context of preventing the COVID-19 epidemic.

During the meeting, the head of the Office of Military Cooperation of the United States of America, Major Edward Salazar, was decorated by the Minister of Defense with the medal "For strengthening the brotherhood of arms".

The distinction was offered on the occasion of the end of the American officer`s mandate and in appreciation of the efforts made to develop the collaborative relations between the two armies.

Minister Alexandru Pinzari thanked Major Salazar for his contribution to the realization of Moldovan-American activities and projects during his term and his contribution to the development of the defense sector in our country.

In turn, the US Ambassador appreciated the performance of Major Salazar in facilitating communication and coordination between the Ministry of Defense and the US Embassy by monitoring the implementation process of external assistance projects and programs offered by US partners.