WEBVTT 00:13.930 --> 00:16.470 - Good morning, we will have statements 00:16.470 --> 00:18.550 by the Secretary General and the president. 00:18.550 --> 00:19.976 Secretary General. 00:19.976 --> 00:21.380 - So President Dodon, 00:21.380 --> 00:24.190 welcome to the NATO headquarters. 00:24.190 --> 00:25.290 It's a great pleasure and honor 00:25.290 --> 00:27.570 to meet with you here 00:27.570 --> 00:32.390 and this is not your first visit to NATO 00:32.390 --> 00:37.030 but it is your first visit to this new building. 00:37.030 --> 00:39.700 And thank you so much for very positive 00:39.700 --> 00:42.370 and constructive discretion today. 00:42.370 --> 00:46.010 The Republic of Moldova is a close partner to NATO. 00:46.010 --> 00:50.240 Our partnership has grown over more than 25 years. 00:50.240 --> 00:53.470 We're working together for the mutual benefit 00:53.470 --> 00:56.490 of Moldova and NATO. 00:56.490 --> 01:00.460 I was encouraged to hear from Prime Minister Maia Sandu 01:00.460 --> 01:02.090 during a recent meeting 01:02.090 --> 01:07.080 that Moldova is committed to continuing our cooperation. 01:07.080 --> 01:12.080 And let me thank you for Moldova's reliable contribution 01:12.580 --> 01:15.110 to our KFOR mission in Kosovo. 01:15.110 --> 01:16.935 This supports peace 01:16.935 --> 01:20.210 and stability in the Western Balkans. 01:20.210 --> 01:23.820 It gives Moldovan troops valuable, practical experience 01:23.820 --> 01:25.940 to defend their own country 01:25.940 --> 01:28.220 and it shows that Moldova 01:28.220 --> 01:30.280 is a responsible contributor 01:30.280 --> 01:33.290 to international security 01:33.290 --> 01:36.690 and you can be proud of your soldiers. 01:36.690 --> 01:40.045 I also commend you on the peaceful transition 01:40.045 --> 01:45.045 of power in your country based on dialogue and compromise 01:46.000 --> 01:49.940 and on firm commitment to democratic values. 01:49.940 --> 01:51.830 We encourage you to continue 01:51.830 --> 01:53.500 to implement reforms 01:53.500 --> 01:55.800 that benefit your people. 01:55.800 --> 01:59.950 So Mr. President, NATO fully supports 01:59.950 --> 02:03.720 and respects Moldova's constitutional neutrality 02:03.720 --> 02:06.060 and fully supports its independence 02:06.060 --> 02:07.563 and its sovereignty. 02:08.450 --> 02:11.170 It is clearly spelt out 02:11.170 --> 02:14.160 on the first page of our jointly agreed 02:14.160 --> 02:17.340 and publicly available framework document, 02:17.340 --> 02:20.690 The Individual Partnership Action Plan. 02:20.690 --> 02:23.850 We know that Moldova has no desire to join NATO 02:23.850 --> 02:26.863 and we respect that decision entirely. 02:27.790 --> 02:30.180 We firmly believe that every nation 02:30.180 --> 02:33.380 has a right to set its own course. 02:33.380 --> 02:36.040 This includes choosing their own allies 02:36.040 --> 02:39.670 or choosing not to align with any other countries 02:40.720 --> 02:44.390 but neutrality does not mean isolation 02:44.390 --> 02:46.940 or that we cannot work together. 02:46.940 --> 02:50.380 NATO works closely with other neutral countries 02:50.380 --> 02:52.943 such as Switzerland and Austria. 02:53.880 --> 02:57.590 NATO's helping Moldova build strong institutions 02:57.590 --> 02:59.550 and good governance. 02:59.550 --> 03:02.470 NATO's also helping improve good governance 03:02.470 --> 03:04.680 in your armed forces, 03:04.680 --> 03:09.680 including through a defense capability building package 03:09.800 --> 03:11.090 and with NATO's help, 03:11.090 --> 03:12.970 Moldova has now a strong 03:12.970 --> 03:16.160 professional military education system. 03:16.160 --> 03:19.759 Hundreds of Moldovan citizens obtained bachelor's 03:19.759 --> 03:21.740 and master degrees 03:21.740 --> 03:24.050 or followed other professional courses. 03:25.056 --> 03:29.630 NATO is also helping Moldova improve its expertise 03:29.630 --> 03:32.673 and defense against cyber attacks, 03:33.660 --> 03:35.290 destroy dangerous chemicals 03:35.290 --> 03:38.270 including banned pesticides 03:38.270 --> 03:41.940 and develop advanced telemedicine 03:41.940 --> 03:45.320 so that first responders can get the best advice 03:45.320 --> 03:46.593 in an emergency. 03:47.500 --> 03:50.150 This contributes to improving the lives 03:50.150 --> 03:52.000 of Moldovan citizens, 03:52.000 --> 03:54.920 enhances Moldova's capacity to defend itself 03:54.920 --> 03:56.590 against any attack 03:56.590 --> 03:59.523 and helps your country be safer and more secure. 04:00.795 --> 04:04.190 Our NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau 04:04.190 --> 04:06.180 has been actively helping us 04:06.180 --> 04:09.720 to implement our support to Moldova 04:09.720 --> 04:11.250 and increase transparency 04:11.250 --> 04:15.693 about what NATO is and how we are cooperating with Moldova. 04:16.740 --> 04:21.490 NATO fully supports a stable and secure Moldova 04:21.490 --> 04:25.850 and we want to see stability and prosperity in your country. 04:25.850 --> 04:27.010 It is important 04:27.010 --> 04:30.093 that Moldova continues its democratic reforms, 04:31.100 --> 04:33.340 notably on fighting corruption 04:33.340 --> 04:36.120 and strengthening the judiciary 04:36.120 --> 04:38.630 and it is important that Moldova remains committed 04:38.630 --> 04:41.723 to the values shared by all European democracies. 04:42.580 --> 04:45.710 You can count on NATO's ongoing commitment 04:45.710 --> 04:47.700 to support your country. 04:47.700 --> 04:49.610 So once again, it was a great pleasure 04:49.610 --> 04:50.500 to meet your today 04:50.500 --> 04:53.710 to discuss how we can further strengthen the partnership 04:53.710 --> 04:56.700 and cooperation between NATO and Moldova 04:56.700 --> 04:58.853 and once again, welcome to NATO. 05:00.723 --> 05:05.020 (speaking in foreign language) 05:05.020 --> 05:05.853 - [Interpreter] Mr. Secretary General, 05:05.853 --> 05:08.610 I would first of all like to thank you 05:08.610 --> 05:11.763 for the very clear position that you expressed 05:14.054 --> 05:15.930 by yourself and NATO in general 05:15.930 --> 05:18.120 with regard to our neutrality 05:19.565 --> 05:21.710 and general integrity. 05:21.710 --> 05:23.060 Moldova is a neutral state 05:24.637 --> 05:25.987 that does not wish to align 05:28.704 --> 05:31.871 with any military bloc, NATO included. 05:33.954 --> 05:36.121 It is very important to us 05:37.749 --> 05:41.416 as a principle to consolidate our neutrality 05:42.310 --> 05:44.980 for this status to be recognized. 05:46.128 --> 05:47.820 We are open to cooperation with all our partners, 05:47.820 --> 05:49.913 both to the east and to the west. 05:50.780 --> 05:54.053 Recently we have had exchanges in Chisinau. 05:56.143 --> 05:58.826 We have made some important changes in additional 05:58.826 --> 06:01.866 when it comes to the intervening coaliltion. 06:01.866 --> 06:03.181 I would like to repeat 06:03.181 --> 06:04.806 that the parliamentary majority 06:04.806 --> 06:06.900 and the new government in Chisinau 06:06.900 --> 06:10.280 will meet all the activities based 06:10.280 --> 06:12.780 on our agreements and with our partners 06:12.780 --> 06:14.340 at the east end and the west 06:14.340 --> 06:17.260 as we have discussed today. 06:17.260 --> 06:21.017 We would like to promote a balanced foreign affairs policy. 06:21.017 --> 06:25.980 We are for promoting the national interest of Moldova 06:25.980 --> 06:28.310 in our relationship with you and our partners. 06:28.310 --> 06:29.353 At the same time, 06:32.014 --> 06:34.881 as you said, neutrality doesn't mean isolation. 06:34.881 --> 06:38.920 That is why we intend to maintain our relationship 06:38.920 --> 06:41.085 to some of our countries to the east 06:41.085 --> 06:42.150 and to the west 06:42.150 --> 06:46.860 and I would like to thank you for your support offered 06:46.860 --> 06:49.170 to us in recent years in many fields. 06:49.170 --> 06:51.940 We have spoken today about the disposal 06:51.940 --> 06:53.707 of dangerous pesticides 06:54.911 --> 06:57.278 on the territory of Republic of Moldova 06:57.278 --> 07:00.778 and our objectives for the period to come. 07:03.231 --> 07:06.231 I hope that our cooperation started 07:07.863 --> 07:08.910 at the beginning of the years 2000 07:08.910 --> 07:12.320 will continue to exist and there to support parties. 07:12.320 --> 07:13.340 Thank you. 07:13.340 --> 07:16.025 - Thank you. - Thank you very much. 07:16.025 --> 07:17.525 - I'll follow you.