27 November 2014, 12:51 GMT
MOSCOW, November 27 (Sputnik) — Moldova is not intending to join NATO and urges all partners to respect its non-aligned status, Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca told RIA Novosti.
"I clearly stand for the neutrality of the country. We will not join NATO and we want all our partners, both in the west and in the east, to respect our neutral status," Leanca said.
According to the minister, the goal of Moldovan authorities is to turn Moldova into a state based on "modern values," such as respect for human rights, rule of law and market economy.
"This means that in Moldova there should not be more military presence. We stand for real neutrality. Even with today's realities, we can prove that it has been for the benefit of the society," he stated.
Moldova's "permanent neutrality" is outlined in its 1994 Constitution, which also forbids the stationing of foreign military troops on its territory.
