France and the Republic of Moldova have started negotiations for a defense agreement, according to the office of the French Minister of Defense, who was in Chisinau on Monday, writes AFP.
French Minister of Defense Sébastien LecornuPhoto: Romain GAILLARD-POOL / Sipa Press / Profimedia
“France will continue to stand by the Moldovans in the face of any destabilization attempt,” the minister’s office said following Sébastien Lecornu’s visit.
The Republic of Moldova borders Ukraine and includes Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist region of 300,000 in the east of the country.
During his visit, the French minister and his counterpart Anatolie Nosatîi signed “a letter of intent to strengthen defense cooperation and assist Moldova in modernizing its army,” announced Sébastien Lecornu on X, former Twitter.
Chisinau also announced the purchase of a Ground Master 200 (GM 200) radar, already ordered by Kiev and produced by Thales, with a range of 250 kilometers, to enhance surveillance of Moldovan airspace.
“Beyond this, we will conduct an audit of air defense resources to contribute to strengthening the security of the skies of the Republic of Moldova”, declared Sébastien Lecornu.
Fragments of a missile were found in Transnistria on Monday, authorities said, without yet making any connection to a new Russian attack in neighboring southern Ukraine.
