28 Jun 2001

Practical cooperation with Moldova Moldova, one of the twenty-six members of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NATO, 28 June, concerning the safe destruction of liquid propellant oxidizer (known as melange) and the destruction of anti-personnel land mines and surplus munitions. This will allow NATO to provide material assistance and training to ensure the implementation of the project. Moldavan Foreign Minister, Nicolae Cernomaz and the Managing Director of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) on Logistic Cooperation, Peter Markey, signed the agreement. The initiative is being financed through one of NATO's Partnership for Peace Trust Fund projects and the Luxembourg-based NATO agency, NAMSA, is the executing agency. The signing of the MOU coincided with the visit of the President of Moldova, Vladimir Voran, to NATO HQ. During a joint press conference, Lord Robertson said that they had discussed Moldova's relationship with NATO, as well as security issues in the region. He added that the President's visit showed the new government's commitment to maintaining and deepening relations with NATO, through discussions and practical cooperation. President Voran explained that his country was keen to continue cooperating with NATO, but that Moldova would remain neutral, as stated in its constitution. He added that Moldova had just joined the Stability Pact on South East Europe and would continue its internal social and economic development. President Voran's visit to NATO HQ comes just over two months after the visit of Moldova's Prime Minister, Vasile Tarlev, on 15 May. Additional information: NATO Press Release (2001)098 - 28 June 2001 - Signature of a memorandum on Logistic Cooperation between Moldova and NATO on safe destruction of melange, anti-personnel land mines and surplus munitions NATO Multimedia - 28 June 2001 - Press Point by Mr. Vladimir Voronin, President of Moldova and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson(.MP3/4.244Kb) NATO Multimedia - 28 June 2001 - High resolution photos of the visit to NATO by the President of Moldova, Mr. Vladimir Voronin