MOLDOVA MAY WELL HOST JOINT FIELD EXERCISES WITH NATO - DEFENSE MINISTER

Moldova may well host field exercises together with partners from the North Atlantic Alliance, Moldovan Minister of Defense Eugen Sturza stated on the local television last night.

For this, he said, the republic has a corresponding military infrastructure, in particular at the Bulboaca military training center (near Chisinau). "Besides this, we have an experience of joint exercises with colleagues from Romania and Ukraine - at their exercise grounds as well as at Bulboaca. What is the purpose of such interaction? It is necessary for Moldova to learn from our partners' experience of participation in military conflicts", explained the minister.

In his words, the question of holding joint exercises with NATO was touched on in the conversations he held with North Atlantic Alliance officials during his recent visit to Brussels.

"Moldova is participating increasingly actively in military exercises jointly with foreign partners. We need to broaden the geography of such training. Such experience is badly needed for us if we speak of professionalization of our armed forces", said the defense minister.

In his words, next year the Moldovan Government will purchase military equipment, machinery and armaments "proceeding from international standards".