Moldovan – Italian Defense Cooperation Discussed at the Ministry of Defense

CHISINAU, September 17, 2020 - Bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, as well as ways to strengthen the Moldovan-Italian partnership were discussed today at the Ministry of Defense by State Secretary Aurel Fondos and Italian Ambassador to Moldova Valeria Biagiotti.

The meeting was attended by the commander of the National Army, Brigadier General Igor Gorgan, and the Italian military attaché, Colonel Andrea Tiver.

The dialogue focused in particular on the presence of National Army soldiers in international theaters of operations, including Operation KFOR in Kosovo or UN peacekeeping missions.

Aurel Fondos thanked the Italian side for its support in the deployment of Moldovan contingents in Kosovo and the training of the National Army in various fields, noting that one of the priorities of the management of the defense institution in the context of implementing the Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI) is to increase military participation in international peacekeeping operations.

For her part, Valeria Biagiotti praised the performance of Moldovan peacekeepers in Kosovo and noted that Italy will continue to support the National Army in joint initiatives and projects.

During the meeting, Aurel Fondos decorated the Italian military attaché, Colonel Andrea Tiver, at the end of his term, with the medal "For Strengthening the Brotherhood in Arms" as a sign of appreciation for the efforts made to develop Moldovan-Italian cooperation relations in the defense segment. .

At the same time, Colonel Andrea Tiver handed over to the commander of the 11th contingent of the National Army in the KFOR mission, Lieutenant-Colonel Radu Popa, the "Commemorative Cross for Peacekeeping Missions", thus appreciating the professionalism shown in the contingent`s activity Moldovan in that operation.