Defense Minister Eugen Sturza and the new US ambassador to Moldova Dereck J. Hogan have today reviewed bilateral co-operation and discussed opportunities to intensify the Moldovan-American dialogue on the defense subject.

On this occasion, Minister Sturza presented to the American diplomat the most important achievements of the military reform, with emphasis on the National Army's professionalisation project, the elaboration and approval of strategic documents, as well as the initiation of programs aimed at improving the caliber of soldiers and civil servants from the sector.

Eugen Sturza also thanked for the constant support the US Government has given to modernizing the National Army, through assistance and training programs, which are aimed at strengthening the defense system of the Republic of Moldova. In this respect, the Minister referred to the training of the military in the specialized educational institutions in the USA, where up to now, about 500 military personnel, the equipment and technical equipment, as well as the activities and exercises held jointly with the National Guard of the North Carolina State.

The Minister of Defense also mentioned the US contribution to the renovation of the Bulboaca National Army Military Training Base within the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI), which aims to create the best training conditions for Moldovan soldiers.

Ambassador Hogan, for his part, appreciated the progress made by the Ministry of Defense in the sectoral reform and said that the United States will continue to support the modernization of the National Army through assistance projects and programs.

The two officials also discussed the regional situation and settlement of the Transnistrian conflict on a peaceful basis.