The National Army's budget over time has been modest, ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 percent of GDP. In addition, the Army's contingent staff, with a staff of just over 11,000 staff units including the technical one, is under-funded and the army's equipment and equipment does not reach even 1/3 of the arsenal the army has 14th of the Russian Federation, illegally deployed on the left bank of the Dniester River. This is the opinion expressed by the economist, Iurie Gotisan, in the show "15 minutes of economic realism".

If we were to look at the budget figures in dynamics, starting with 2009, the National Army's funding diminished. The budget for the 2017 armed forces is barely covered by their operational expenditure, nor is it about equipment, financial supplements for the staff, and many other dimensions that imply its development and evolution. "The rescue collar would be the involvement of Moldovan soldiers in various international peacekeeping operations, particularly under the aegis of the UN, but this would only be for a very small number of troops. The last salesmen of the presidency, the government, and some political parties, the ban on the participation of the National Army in military exercises or international operations, lead to a greater return on the field", Explains Gotisan.

"The state alone has neither the capacity nor the financial resources to modernize and strengthen the army. Moreover, it can not even cope with those Russian special forces deployed in Transnistria. The funding of armed troops has never been a priority and, apparently, it is not the issue of the current or former government", Gothisan explained.

The military equipment provided by the National Army is worn both morally and physically. Respectively, the maintenance of the army - either with equipment or with food - can not be ensured by the Government. Moreover, we have soldiers in the security zone, who carry out their service under rather difficult conditions. Or, if we talk about air security, the battle, then the juncture is dramatic.

In conclusion, the economist Iurie Gotisan wonders rhetorically if he would deserve in the context of Moldova the status of neutrality, military, respectively would the state of such an army or rather military diplomacy? Diplomacy often handed over by the ex-member of the parliamentary commission for national security and defense, the current Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the UN.

The show is made by IDIS "Viitorul" in partnership with Radio Free Europe.

For more details, contact the Public Relations Coordinator IDIS Viitorul, Victor URSU at ursu.victoor@gmail.com or call 069017396.