Deputy Secretary General welcomes NATO’s deepening partnership with Moldova
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană meets with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
From 14 to 15 September 2023, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană is visiting Chişinău to discuss NATO’s deepening partnership with the Republic of Moldova.
During his visit, the Deputy Secretary General met the Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and President of the Parliament Igor Grosu. Mr Geoană also met with senior military officials and will engage with students and civil society representatives.
In his meeting with President Sandu, Mr Geoană reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to continue strengthening political and practical support to Moldova. Moldova’s cooperation with NATO enhances its resilience and security, and will help Moldova on its path to EU membership, Mr Geoană said.
In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Recean, the Deputy Secretary General highlighted the long-standing cooperation between NATO and Moldova, in full respect for its constitutional neutrality. He thanked Moldova for its continued support to regional stability through its contribution to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and for the assistance it has provided to the Ukrainian people since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war. Mr Geoană also praised Moldova for its efforts towards European Union integration.
Mr Geoană welcomed Prime Minister Recean’s goal to enhance the interoperability of the Moldovan armed forces with NATO. He reiterated NATO’s full support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on Russia to withdraw its forces stationed in the Transnistrian region without Moldova’s consent.
At the Vilnius Summit, NATO Allies reconfirmed their commitment to stepping up political and practical support to Moldova. This includes a substantial package of support to help strengthen Moldova’s cyber defences, strategic communications, and training and logistics.
