President Vladimir Voronin: Moldova wants to join EU, not NATO

Vineri, 27 iunie 2008, 14:22 English | Regional Europe

During the Friday session of the Moldova Accession to the European Union Commission, president Vladimir Voronin asked the government to find solutions to ensure the accession to EU, but to avoid joining NATO. In his opinion, the republic must maintain its neutrality, which is also regulated by the Constitution.

Nezavisimaia gazeta confirms that, in its Constitution, Moldova declared itself as a neutral state, where the stationing of foreign troops is forbidden. At that time, the article in the Constitution had as only purpose to get Moldova rid of the Russian 14th Army.

Anyway, Kishinev officials never discussed the possibility to join NATO, although the theme is intensely discussed in the local media.

Voronin's Communists currently want to gain Russia's support for integrating the territories of the self-proclaimed Transdniester republic.