Moldovan president developing new national security strategy appropriate to country's neutrality
CHISINAU. June 27 (Interfax) - Moldovan President Igor Dodon has withdrawn the draft national security strategy developed under the previous president with participation of NATO experts from the parliament.
"[I] signed a decree withdrawing the draft national security strategy, as well as its implementation plan, developed during the previous president's mandate, because the contents of the aforementioned documents are inconsistent with significant changes in the national, regional, and international fields of security," Dodon said on Facebook on Tuesday.
He recalled that "an initiative to develop the national security strategy is the president's prerogative, which is directly stipulated in provisions of [...] the law 'On national security.'"
"In this light I issued an order to set up a new composition of the commission on developing the Republic of Moldova's national security strategy corresponding to the state interests, neutral status, requirements for strengthening the statehood and modernization of our country," Dodon said.
The national security strategy approved by the Moldovan president on July 15, 2011, is currently in force in the republic. In May 2015, the Moldovan Supreme Security Council adopted a decision on developing the new national security strategy. President Nicolae Timofti signed a decree on setting up a commission to develop the new document. Moldovan experts developed the draft national security strategy with the active participation of NATO experts. In March 2016, the document was submitted to the parliament, but it was never considered.
This draft contains six priorities: the rule of law and the citizens' confidence in state institutions, proper governance, anti-corruption efforts, transparency and efficiency of decisions, development of sustainable economy, and advancing the country's defensive capacities in military terms.
According to the draft strategy, Moldova stands "for intensification of cooperation with NATO and intends to promote active foreign policy as an instrument of strengthening state security." Following the crisis in Ukraine, a particular emphasis is expected to be placed on "various aspects of regional security." The document highlights willingness to maintain close relations and establish bilateral cooperation with the European Union countries, the United States, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine, as well as other interested parties.
Moldovan President Dodon earlier repeatedly advocated for strengthening the country's neutrality and against cooperation with NATO. This February, during his visit to Brussels, he made an offer to NATO to sign an official document on international recognition of Moldova's neutrality.
