Moldovan President Maia Sandu said parliament’s adoption of a national defense strategy tying her small southeastern European nation to the West “is a big step toward strengthening the security and stability of our country." Sandu added that the government's goal is to transform Moldova -- with a population of about 3.5 million people -- "from a vulnerable state with fragile democracy" into a "strong, modern, resilient, and European state, capable of taking care of its citizens." The comments come after the EU on December 14 announced the decision to open membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service, click here.
