Moldova has no plans to join NATO – defence minister
CHISINAU. October 2. KAZINFORM Moldova has no plans to join NATO and speculations on this theme are politicized, Moldovan Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta told reporters on Thursday in his comments on mass media reports that the country's new government will seek accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.
"The issue on Moldova's accession to NATO is not on the current agenda and speculations on this theme are politicized," he said.
Along with this he noted that cooperation with the alliance is "fruitful and mutually advantageous for Moldova if to take into account new requirements of national security," he said. "NATO turns into a cooperation structure to ensure collective security."
Marinuta expressed confidence that "at present, security of any country can be ensured only through cooperation as ... current threats do not make it possible to secure unilateral protection."
The minister reiterated that cooperation between Moldova and NATO is based on provisions of the Individual Partnership Action Plan adopted by the former government. This plan envisages reformation of the country's defence and security system through improvement of personnel trainings and participation in peacekeeping missions.
Marinuta pledged that Moldova's servicemen would take part in international peace missions under the aegis of the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other organizations in compliance with the effective legislation, Kazinform refers to ITAR-TASS.
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