The neutrality status of a country does not mean the lack of defense capability, experts
The consequences of the Russian invasion in Ukraine will also have a strong impact on the Republic of Moldova, and the example of the neighboring country shows that a state, even though it is neutral, must have defense capacity. In the context of the war in Ukraine, the opinions of some Moldovan citizens regarding the neutrality status of our country have also changed - experts said during the public debate "Moldova for the first time at the NATO Summit: reasons and effects", organized by the IPN Press Agency .
The status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union (EU) of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine had to be confirmed through a NATO summit, given the fact that there is an agreement between the EU and NATO that these two countries can no longer be left in the gray area . If at the Summit of the North Atlantic Alliance in Madrid this summer it was stated that the Black Sea basin has become an area of interest for NATO, the recent reunion in Bucharest pointed out the vulnerabilities. Thus, the Republic of Moldova must also strengthen its defense capabilities, claims expert Igor Boțan. "For the Republic of Moldova, which is very vulnerable, you don't even need another pretext to understand that you are threatened. In such situations, even if you are a neutral state, you must have the potential to resist at least for some time, so that others who can help the Republic of Moldova can organize themselves and offer help to our country, even if it is a neutral state", said Igor Botan. After the escalation of the war in Ukraine, the message regarding the neutral status of the Republic of Moldova was presented as an advantage, but after October 10, when our country's airspace was overrun by Russian missiles, these statements are no longer valid. "According to the polls, it made citizens think about the functionality of this neutrality. That is why, participating in such ministerial meetings, we must have expectations about the nature of these discussions. It is important for the Republic of Moldova that certain aspects directed directly to the respective state in the context of the war in Ukraine were discussed, such as energy security, how the Republic of Moldova manages the refugee problem", said security expert Natalia Albu. The neutral status of the Republic of Moldova does not mean demilitarization and external isolation, but the ability to protect citizens, ensuring their peace. The Republic of Moldova is a security provider by participating in peacekeeping operations both in Europe, the Middle East and in Africa, said the head of diplomacy from the Republic of Moldova, Nicu Popescu, at the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the NATO states, held in Bucharest.
