On Thursday, December 1, defence minister, Mihnea Motoc, met with his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, Anatolie Salaru, who came to Romania following the invitation to attend the military parade organized on the occasion of Romania's National Day.

Minister Motoc expressed his appreciation with regard to the fact that the National Armed Force of the Republic of Moldova assigned a 34-soldier detachment to march during the military parade.

The talks between the two ministers tackled the regional security situation, bilateral and regional cooperation in the defence field as well as the support offered by Romania to the European integration of the Republic of Moldova.

The two officials discussed concrete ways to intensify bilateral cooperation in the field of defence with a view of continuing the European integration path of the Republic of Moldova. On this occasion, minister Mihnea Motoc specified that Romania would continue to offer its expertise and support throughout the armed forces' reform process of the Republic of Moldova in the field of defence planning, the conduct of common exercises and activities as well as the specialty training.

Also, the Romanian minister of national defence emphasized the fact that Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova with increasing its cooperation relations with the North-Atlantic Alliance and the European Union. As regards NATO, defence minister reiterated Romania's support in the implementation of the allied defence consolidation package. Minister Motoc mentioned that the enhancement of the defence and security dimension of the Eastern Partnership, in the context of the evolution of the security environment in the Eastern neighborhood of the European Union is very important and encouraged the Republic of Moldova's active involvement in the actions conducted under the aegis of Common Security and Defence Policy.

On this occasion, the two officials signed the Protocol to Amend the Agreement between the Romanian Government and the Government of the Republic of Moldova with regard to the cooperation in the military field, signed at Chisinau, on April 20, 2012 .

Press Department