Moldovan PM, North Alliance secretary general say neutrality does not mean isolation, Moldova understands value of partnership with NATO

Chisinau, 30 March /MOLDPRES/ - The continuation of the political dialogue and strengthening the practical cooperation between Moldova and the North Atlantic Alliance were the main subjects tackled at a meeting between Prime Minister Pavel Filip and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels today, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.      

The PM stressed that the Moldovan government opted for boosting the partnership with the NATO in fields of common interest, in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace and based on the principle of Moldova’s constitutional neutrality. In this respect, the officials paid special attention to the process of defining the goals of cooperation due to be included in the Individual Partnership Action Plan Moldova – North Atlantic Alliance for 2017-2019. “This document has been practically given the final touches and will be submitted to the NATO’s Headquarters for consultation,” Pavel Filip specified.    

Among the principal directions of Moldova-NATO cooperation for future, there are projects in the sector of cyber security and completing the project on destruction of a considerable amount of pesticides. “These projects will bring tangible benefits for the country’s security, citizens’ health and the environment,” Prime Minister Pavel Filip said.  

At the same time, the PM reiterated that the government would provide every needed support for the opening of the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, according to the Agreement signed in late last year. “I am confident that the Office’s works would help turn to good account the potential of cooperation with the Alliance. Moldova is a neutral country, yet, which understands the value of the partnership with the NATO. The neutrality does not mean isolation from the international community,” the prime minister noted.    

For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the North Atlantic Alliance observed the independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty and neutrality of Moldova. “We provide Moldova with support to implement the reforms assumed, in order to consolidate the good governance and the state institutions, including the efforts of fighting corruption,” Jens Stoltenberg said.  

At the same time, Stoltenberg referred to the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau, due to be opened in next summer. He said this office would be a diplomatic mission and would have only civil employees, just as there are offices in other countries. In the context, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that it was very important to communicate about the NATO and the benefits offered by the North Atlantic Alliance to Moldova’s citizens.   

He officials also exchanged opinions on the process of peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and participation of the national contingent in the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo.  

Prime Minister Pavel Filip pays a working visit to Belgium and Luxembourg on 29-31 March.