Moldovan soldiers to have prohibition to go to military drills abroad without consent of president

Chisinau, 8 September /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan soldiers will have the prohibition to go to military exercises, training courses and operations abroad without the consent of the supreme commander of the armed forces, according to an order signed today by President Igor Dodon.

The president announced that following the conflict over the participation of Moldovan soldiers in the drills in Ukraine, asked Prime Minister Pavel Filip resignation of the leadership of the Defense Ministry.

The head of state also noted he had begun a job investigation to identify people who had broken the president’s order, and then they would be penalized and downgraded.

“This is an unprecedented situation. The government tried to misinterpret the legislation. For the first time, the government gives instructions to the Armed Forces contrary to the decision of the Supreme Commander. Over the past months, I have not allowed the servicemen to participate in more exercises, as there is no minister at the institution, but I have accepted the presence of our soldiers at other peacekeeping activities”, Dodon said.

At the same time, the head of state noted “he did not allow soldiers to participate in military drills, as there will be also NATO troops and armed conflicts are ongoing in Ukraine”.

The government approved two days ago a decision on participation of a contingent of Moldovan soldiers in Rapid Trident training course in Ukraine. Soon the head of state suspended the government’s decision, but the servicemen respected the government's decision and went to the drills in the neighboring state.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Răileanu)