The eighth contingent of National Army service members on June 14 returned from the KFOR peacekeeping mission performed in Kosovo. In the ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense, the officers who served at the Italian basis “Camp Vilaggio” in Pech were awarded for professionalism, devotion, courage and promotion of Moldova’s image abroad, IPN reports.
Minister of Defense Eugeniu Sturza said KFOR-8 worked for six months and six months ago he took up his duties. A number of changes occurred in the period and the service members who returned home will feel them. These will share their experience with mates in their units as this is how the development of the National Army can be ensured.
Commander of the KFOR-8 contingent, Major Ruslan Varivanov said during the six months the National Army service members made effort to fulfil the tasks entrusted to them. “The KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo was accomplished. Together with the comrades from Italy, Austria and Slovenia, we patrolled and examined areas, guarded facilities and performed other tasks and were highly appreciated by the mission’s administration,” stated Ruslan Varivanov.
KFOR-8, which was deployed last December, completed its mission in Kosovo and was replaced by another contingent that consists of 41 Moldovan service members. These were seen off on June 8.
The first Moldovan contingent left for Kosovo in March 2014. So far, over 300 officers and sub-officers of the National Army worked in Kosovo as part of eight missions.
