Moldovan PM, deputy secretary of North Atlantic Alliance discuss Moldova-NATO cooperation in new regional security conditions

Chisinau, 8 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita has had a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, at the headquarters of the Alliance, during her working visit to Brussels, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

The officials discussed the security challenges dictated by Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as the Moldova-NATO cooperation in the new security conditions. Another subject was focused on the Adapted Package of the Defence Capacity Building Programme, which stays a priority and an important instrument in the relations between Moldova and NATO.  

„We observe the provisions of Moldova’s Constitution and the choice of the country’s population. The common threats against Moldova and the NATO countries include the misinformation, cyber attacks and other threats and we together can find solutions to counteract them. We are prepared to advance with the speed you are ready for,’’ NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said.     

According to Natalia Gavrilita, the war and the hybrid pressures have a direct impact on the country’s economic and budgetary situation. The dramatic increase in prices for energy is the main reason for the high rate of the inflation. In these conditions, one of the priority tasks of the government is to maintain stability in Moldova, including of the social and economic situation and management of the economic recession.

„It is important that Moldova remains stable and safe. Otherwise, the political destabilization, eventual unrest, violence and unsecured borders would be harmful for Moldova itself, as well as for Ukraine and EU. Taking into account the regional security context, an urgent task of the Moldovan authorities is to modernize the national security and defence sector in line with the new challenges,’’ Natalia Gavrilita noted.

In the context, according to the Moldovan PM, a field of strategic importance for Moldova is the assistance of the NATO Allies for strengtheningthe security and defence sector, for consolidating the capacities and efficiency of the institutions, as well as training of experts.  

Another important component, discussed by the two officials, is the opportunity to provide courses, seminars and workshops in various fields to civil servants from Moldovan institutions, at specialized centres of training and education approved  by the NATO.   

In this respect, Moldova will be able to turn to good account possibilities of cooperation provided by diverse programmes of NATO. It is about, in particular, the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP), Defence and Related Security Capacity Building (DCB), Programme on Consolidation of Integrity in the Security and Defence Sector, Professional Development Programme, Science for Peace and Security Programme, Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), Interoperability Platform, etc.       

The two officials discussed also the organization of a common visit to Moldova by NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana and Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino.    

Photo: Government