Defense Minister Nosatii announces military reserve and pension reforms
The Moldovan Ministry of Defense is preparing legislative amendments that would require citizens aged 18 to 55 to undergo mandatory basic military training. Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii clarified on Wednesday, June 24, that the initiative aims to strengthen national resilience rather than initiate mass mobilization.
The training programs will be rolled out gradually, depending on the available resources and the capacity of the National Army.
National resilience and reserve expansion
Speaking after a government meeting, Nosatii emphasized that the measure aligns with the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, which mandates civic defense training. The proposed framework will offer various training formats to ensure citizens possess basic skills for emergency or crisis situations.
The Minister rejected claims that the law implies general mobilization, labeling such narratives as erroneous.
"This does not mean everyone will join the army tomorrow. Activities will be carried out progressively based on defense capacities," Nosatii stated.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defense is cooperating with the Ministry of Education and Research to enhance civic education in schools. The initiative will introduce fundamental concepts of history and patriotism into the national curriculum.
When asked about similarities to educational models in the Russian Federation, Nosatii noted that similar defense training frameworks are well-established in numerous Western nations, including European countries and the United States.
Modernizing the active and passive reserves
The reform also aims to address a significant gap regarding citizens aged 27 to 55 who have not completed prior military service. Under current laws, citizens who have served or completed university military reserve courses can be recalled for training up to 10 days once every five years.
The defense ministry intends to correct existing legal loopholes that currently allow individuals to evade these periodic training cycles.
Defense sector pension adjustments
In tandem with military training updates, Nosatii expressed support for a gradual increase in the retirement age for personnel in the defense and security sectors.
"Retirement between the ages of 33 and 37 is unsustainable when other citizens retire at 63," the Minister noted, adding that structural investments in training security specialists must be fully leveraged before they exit the workforce.
This statement follows a comprehensive pension reform concept presented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on June 19.
The defense pension reform introduces a clear retirement age that will increase gradually by six months each year. The threshold will rise from 45 years starting January 1, 2027, to 50 years by 2036.
Furthermore, the required length of service will increase to 20 years. To retain experienced specialists within the defense system, the new policy eliminates the requirement for personnel to resign from active duty upon receiving their pensions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
