20 Dec 2018 19:34

Opening of NATO Office in Chisinau contradicts principle of Moldova's neutrality - Dodon

CHISINAU. Dec 20 (Interfax) - The opening of the NATO Office in Chisinau is illegal, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said.

"The opening of the NATO liaison office in Moldova contradicts the country's interests, it's illegal. Such decision contradicts the principle of Moldova's neutrality, which should be observed closely," Dodon told a press conference on Thursday summing up the results of his two years' tenure as president.

Moldova should pursue a balanced foreign policy, he said.

"This means that we don't want to be friends with the Americans against Russia or with the Russians against the Europeans. We need to take the best from the West and the East. This means pursuing a balanced foreign policy. That is the only way we can maintain stability to prevent the situation from exploding," the president said.

The presidential administration has come up with a draft foreign policy strategy based on promoting a balanced policy aimed at cooperation with both the West and the East, Dodon said.

"My advisers and I presented this document in Moscow, Vienna, Brussels, Washington, and Berlin. I want to say that our position is understood and supported," he said.

Dodon also spoke about the results achieved in the sphere of domestic and foreign policy and in the process of settling the Transdniestria conflict.

Dodon took office on December 23, 2016.