Outgoing Moldovan president repeats call for withdrawal of Russian troops
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 November 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Outgoing Moldovan president repeats call for withdrawal of Russian troops, 18 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a26011.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 18, 2016
Outgoing Moldovan President Radu Timofti casting his ballot in the election for his successor late last month.
Moldova's outgoing president, Nicolae Timofti, said his country's constitutionally mandated neutrality is "invalid as long as forces of the Russian Federation are present on the territory of Transdniester contrary to our will."
Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Chisinau on November 18, Timofti also said the country's neutrality does not prevent the government from modernizing its defense and security capabilities through cooperation with NATO.
He said the NATO-Moldova Individual Partnership Action Plan had provided many benefits in such areas as environmental safety, training for peacekeeping missions, and military reform.
Russia has maintained military forces in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniester since the region fought a brief military conflict with Chisinau in 1992.
The Moldovan government has repeatedly called for their removal and for an international peacekeeping mission to be created.
Earlier this month, Moldova elected pro-Russia Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon as president.
With reporting by Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
