Jens Stoltenberg, on the eve of the defence ministers' meeting: the Republic of Moldova is a close and long-term partner of NATO
Moldova is a close and long-term partner of NATO, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told journalists in Brussels on the eve of the NATO defence ministers' meeting. The official said the parties had agreed to intensify this partnership, Radio Free Europe Moldova reports.
"Of course, we are concerned about how we can help you reform and strengthen your defence and security institutions, and this can also be linked to the protection of Moldova's airspace. This is something we are constantly assessing and discussing with Moldova to see what kind of support we can offer," said the NATO Secretary General.
Stoltenberg expressed satisfaction that the North Atlantic Alliance had contributed to securing Moldova's airspace during the recent European Political Community (EPC) summit and said the Western politico-military organisation was "constantly looking at" how it could help Chisinau, including in the area of air defence.
During the June 1 summit in Bulboaca, NATO monitored the airspace using AWACS surveillance flights, which can detect planes, missiles and drones hundreds of kilometres away.
NATO defence ministers will meet in Brussels on 15-16 June to discuss the alliance's July summit in Vilnius and Ukraine's prospects for NATO membership.
In the margins of the meeting, Moldovan Defence Minister Anatoly Nosatyi will attend a meeting of the US-led and organised Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence.
