The young men who do their military service in the armed forces will not take part in military peacekeeping operations, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta said during a briefing on January 21, refuting thus the recent press reports that Moldovan troops will be detached to Afghanistan, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The decision to participate in international military operations is not taken by the Ministry of Defense or the Government. This is the prerogative of the Parliament of Moldova. Only the legislative body has the right to decide when and in what international missions to take part,” Vitalie Marinuta said. If a political decision is reached, only the military men that are under contract will be detached to participate in such missions, the minister added. “Moldova wants to contribute to the regional and international security alongside other countries. If we want to become part of the European Union, we must support the international efforts in all the areas, including security,” Vitalie Marinuta said.