NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has assured Moldova's Prime Minister Iurie Leanca that the western military alliance stands ready to develop closer ties during talks at NATO headquarters, according to a press release issued Friday.
"We agree that we should make the most of the Individual Partnership Action Plan between NATO and Moldova and develop it further," Rasmussen was quoted as saying in the NATO press release.
Stressing that NATO remains grateful Moldova's offer to contribute to the alliance's ongoing mission in Kosovo, Rasmussen added that NATO looks forward to cooperation with Moldova in other areas as well.
Issues of common interest, including how NATO can assist Moldova to reform its security sector, were discussed during the talks between the NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister Leanca.
"We are already working together on defense education and on building integrity and we stand ready to do more," Rasmussen said.
He welcomed Moldova's efforts to move closer to the European Union and NATO and urged the Prime Minister Leanca to take forward ambitious reforms "to guarantee a better future for your people."
The Alliance will continue to support Moldova's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, Rasmussen said. He also said that while NATO is not involved, it closely follows developments related to the Transnistria settlement process.
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