Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca and Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta today participated in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in the 28+Moldova format held at the Brussels-based NATO HQ.

The event is organized annually to examine a report on the implementation of the Moldova-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) worked out by the NATO International Secretariat.

The Moldovan officials thanked the NATO representatives for the Alliance's support for the defence and security reform in Moldova. The delegation advocated the development of political dialogue at different levels and practical cooperation with the Alliance on the basis of IPAP. The sides also reviewed achievements made during the implementation of IPAP, as well as existing deficiencies. In the context, they pointed out the opportunity of NATO's assistance and expertise assessment.

For their part, the NATO ambassadors showed interest in the evolution of the political situation in Moldova, the priorities of Moldova's foreign policy and prospects of cooperation with NATO. They said they backed the democratic processes, reforms and European integration promoted by Moldova. Also, the NATO representatives expressed strong support for Moldova's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Also today, the Moldovan delegation had bilateral meetings with NATO Secretary-General and NATO Deputy Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy Jean-François Bureau. The officials reiterated their wish to effectively cooperate on the basis of IPAP. At the same time, Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed the Moldovan government's determination to promote democratic reforms and take actions necessary to improve the economic and social situation in the country.

Another important element of the visit resided in the signing of a statement on the launch of the third stage of a project for the destruction of pesticides and dangerous chemicals in Moldova.