15:37 14.08.2017

Dodon promises Moldova won't join NATO, rules out escalation of Transdniestrian conflict

2 min read
Dodon promises Moldova won't join NATO, rules out escalation of Transdniestrian conflict

Moldova will maintain neutrality and will not join NATO or any other military block, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said.

"Moldova should participate in military actions neither in the west nor in the east; we will not join NATO or any other military blocks. We are a neutral country. Moldova will not join any combat actions or regional conflicts," Dodon said at a briefing on Monday, commenting on his visit to a Moldovan National Army range in Bulboaca.

The Moldovan president also ruled out the possibility of a new conflict in Transdniestria breaking out. "I would like to say that there are currently no threats of destabilization of the situation or outbreak of conflict. As president and commander-in-chief of the Moldovan Armed Forces, I will not allow any actions that would lead to destabilization of the situation. I have enough powers to block any actions capable of resulting in destabilization," Dodon said.

He visited the military range on Monday to have a look at the situation on the ground, he said. "No actions capable of destabilizing the situation are ongoing there. I will inspect all military units in the Republic of Moldova in the next few days to make sure that everything is fine everywhere. I also intend to convene a session of the Supreme Security Council before the end of August in order to draw some conclusions following visits to military units and take measures, if necessary," Dodon said.

A number of media outlets said earlier that the U.S. Navy will build eight facilities in Bulboaca, including social facilities and a shopping center. The Moldovan Defense Ministry denied these reports, saying that work was being done under a grant, implementation of which has been ongoing for five years, rather than a new program for building facilities in Bulboaca.

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