Agerpres special correspondent Cristian Lupascu reports: The Republic of Moldova's goal is to build an army at NATO standards, Moldovan prime minister Dorin Recean said at the end of a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana.
According to him, the Republic of Moldova needs to strengthen its defence capability, in particular by investing in the national army, agerpres reports.
"Moldova's neutrality does not mean indifference. Moldova's neutrality does not mean that we should do nothing. That is why we must strengthen our defence capability. That is why we have to make these investments in the national army, so that we have a national army up to NATO standards and obviously here we will have the support of our partners," Recean said.
He added that the Republic of Moldova will participate in NATO's new technology and innovation programmes.
Mircea Geoana also spoke of the need for the Republic of Moldova to have an efficient army, compatible with NATO structures.
"Neutrality does not mean that you should not have an efficient army. Look at Switzerland! I am giving you an obvious example. That is why we are working together with our partners in the Republic of Moldova to have an army, national security structures that are compatible with us, efficient, motivated and I also welcome the fact that, in terms of the budget of the Republic of Moldova, there are additional resources to strengthen the defence capability of the Republic of Moldova," the NATO official stressed.