North Atlantic Treaty Organization
March 11, 2014
NATO Deputy Secretary General discusses partnership with Moldovan lawmakers
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow discussed the advantages of cooperation and partnership and the crisis in Ukraine with a delegation of Moldovan lawmakers on Tuesday (11 March 2014). “We want to look for ways to strengthen your efforts on the reform path,” the Deputy Secretary General told the parliamentarians.
Moldova is a valued partner for NATO, Ambassador Vershbow said. He thanked the seven-member parliamentary delegation for their country’s commitment to increased political dialogue and cooperation with the Alliance. Ambassador Vershbow thanked Moldova for its recent decision to contribute troops to the Alliance’s mission in Kosovo. A contingent of 41 soldiers joined the KFOR operation on 8 March. It is the first time that Moldova participates in a NATO mission. He also congratulated Moldova’s decision to move closer to the European Union with the recent initialling of an Association Agreement. The Ambassador said that European integration is compatible with closer relations with NATO.
During the meeting the Deputy Secretary General reiterated NATO’s respect for Moldova’s constitutional neutrality and underlined that Allies continue to support the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Moldovan delegation was led by Mr. Alexandru Cimbriciuc, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Public Order and head of Moldova’s delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
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