Moldova seeks NATO's help to force Russia to withdraw troops from Transnistria
Moldovan authorities have asked NATO to assist in removing Russian army troops from Transnistria. Delfi reported that this was said by the country’s Minister of Defense, Anatol Şalaru, while at the recent NATO summit in Warsaw.
“Propaganda, economic measures, the lack of a solution to the Transnistrian problem and the stationing of Russian troops are constant causes for concern. We ask for support for our initiative to transform the mission in the Transnistrian region into a multinational civil mission. We also insist on the withdrawal of Russian troops and armaments from Moldova in accordance with international obligations,” Şalaru said while at the summit.
He also proposed that the leadership of NATO hold military exercises in the country in 2019 to improve the interoperability of the army within the military standards of the block. According to Şalaru, these exercises will become the basis for the establishment of a regional training center for NATO forces.
“Today, we need a strong commitment to the partnership between Moldova and NATO to identify and deter common challenges. Moldova will strive to become a reliable partner of the Alliance,” he concluded.
Moldova holds a neutral status in relations with NATO. However, since 1994, the country has collaborated with the Alliance as a partner.