NATO has reaffirmed its support for Moldova's independence and territorial integrity.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Moldovan Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici in Brussels on March 16 that Moldova was a "valued partner" for the alliance.
"All NATO allies support Moldova's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and respect Moldova's constitutional neutrality," Stoltenberg said after talks with Gaburici.
Stoltenberg and Gaburici also discussed the next step toward establishing a Defense Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI) for Moldova.
The DCBI -- which was first announced at a NATO summit in September -- aims to help NATO project stability without the deployment of large combat forces and is part of the alliance's overall contribution to international security, stability, and conflict prevention.
Russia has threatened that Moldova’s drive for closer European integration could cause it to lose control of its breakaway pro-Russian region of Transdniester.
Russia maintains about 1,200 troops in Transdniester.
