Allied Joint Force Command Naples public affairs instructors, French Army Captain Eloise Rossi and U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Mark Patton, present public affairs tactics and strategies. The Mobile Training Team focused on public affairs topics such as news releases, interview techniques and press conferences. Photo by Moldavian MoD.
CHISINAU, Moldova - A Public Affairs Mobile Training Team (MTT) from Allied Joint Force Command Naples conducted a seminar in Chisinau, Moldova, Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.
The training, which took place at the Ministry of Defense in the city of Chisinau, focused on a variety of public affairs topics, such as writing news releases, crisis management, interviews, press conferences and working groups.
The two-specialist from the JFC Naples MTT instructed an audience composed of 18 Moldovan military officers and noncommissioned officers, working in public affairs for the Moldovan Ministry of Defense.
Lieutenant Colonel Diana Gradinaru, participant in the course and head of the public relations department at the Moldovan MoD, highlighted that one of the MoD’s strategic goals is increasing the participation in peacekeeping operations and consolidating the cooperation with NATO.
"Communication in this context is vital”, said Gradinaru. "Therefore, it is important for the public affairs officers and the staff responsible for media communication from the national army units and Ministry of Defense institutions to be prepared to inform the internal and external public about the above goals and activities conducted to achieve these goals."
The training was augmented with a pair of translators that helped bridge any possible communication gaps or misunderstandings.
"We highly appreciate the support of NATO trainers who shared the best practices of communication at NATO level, especially communication experience in peacekeeping operations”, concluded Gradinaru. "Their presentations were accessible for all the attendees of the course and we hope we will have these trainers in the Republic of Moldova again for some other trainings designated for unit commanders and MoD divisions.”
On Dec. 8, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, traveled to Chisinau where she inaugurated the NATO Liaison Office Moldova along with the Prime Minister, Mr. Pavel Filip. Bringing Moldova one step closer in the consolidation of cooperation with NATO.
Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office