CHISINAU. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Renouncement of Moldova's neutrality is not on the table, yet it is necessary to enhance the national defense capacity, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in an interview with the Romanian public television TVR on Wednesday evening.
"Renouncement of neutrality is not on the table now. The thing is that neutrality is written down in the Moldovan constitution. We need to strengthen our defense capacity but with due account of the public option. An analysis of recent polls indicates that most citizens of the country still think it would be necessary to keep the neutrality. We respect this choice of the citizens," Sandu said.
"We also should seriously discuss what shall be done to protect ourselves. Whether we are able to keep peace and tranquility unaided. That's crucial under the circumstances," Sandu said.
As to the rumors that she may run for Romanian president, Sandu said she did not aspire for any position in Romania.
"Let me be clear. I do not aspire for any positions in Romania. I know that there are Romanian citizens on the other bank of the Prut River who are monitoring the situation in Chisinau. We are very grateful to them. Yet we also have very important tasks here - we need [...] to bring Moldova to the European Union. These are important and challenging tasks and we are counting on the assistance of Romania," Sandu said.
She allowed for possible renouncement of Moldova's neutrality in an interview with Politico on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.