NATO to open liaison office in Moldova

BRUSSELS, Nov 23 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip at NATO headquarters Thursday and discussed ways to deepen their partnership.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Stoltenberg announced that early next month, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller will inaugurate the NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau.
"It has been established at the request of the Moldovan government and it is similar to our offices in Moscow, Kyiv and Tbilisi," he said.
The office will be staffed with civilians and will help support dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Moldova, he noted.
Stoltenberg said he respects Molodovaآ’s neutrality and understand "that Moldova does not want to join NATO." On his part, Filip told reporters that he seeks to consolidate the political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO based on the neutrality of Moldova. (end) nk.mt