27 Sep. 2004

NATO Secretary General discusses Transdniestra in Moldova News 22/09/04 - NATO NATO Secretary General to visit Moldova 30/09/02 - NATO Landmine destruction starts in Moldova Background Partnership for Peace Trust Fund Cooperation between NATO and Moldova and the issue of Transdniestra were the key topics discussed during a one-day visit by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to Chisinau on 23 September. The Secretary General met with President Vladimir Voronin, Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan and Defence Minister. In these meetings, Mr. De Hoop Scheffer reiterated that the Alliance is deeply interested in the stability of this region and supports Moldova’s independence and territorial integrity. The Secretary General also said the Alliance expects Russia to live up to commitments made at the 1999 OSCE Summit in Istanbul and to withdraw its troops from Moldova. This remained a precondition for the ratification of the CFE Treaty, which sets limits on heavy weapons across the continent. Effective cooperation The visit presented an opportunity for the Secretary General to discuss ongoing cooperation between NATO and Moldova and prospects for future activities. The President and Ministers expressed particular appreciation for NATO's assistance in the destruction of Moldova's landmine stockpiles. Under NATO's Partnership for Peace Trust Fund Moldova' s stock of 12,000 landmines and 700,000 tons of old munitions and rocket fuel were safely destroyed. Further projects are being planned to help Moldova deal with pesticide and chemical stockpiles. Moldova has been a NATO partner country since 1994. This was the first visit by Mr. De Hoop Scheffer to Moldova in his capacity as NATO Secretary General, and part of a continuing round of visits to NATO and partner countries.