Foundations have been set to intensify defense cooperation between the two NATO allies – North Macedonia and Slovakia – that will develop national capacities but also the Alliance’s collective defense capacities, agreed Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska and Slovak counterpart Jaroslav Nad in Bratislava on Thursday.
Shekerinska and Nad concluded that North Macedonia’s NATO membership has strengthened regional security and the time has come to make the long-awaited and deserved step forward in the European integration of the Western Balkans, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.
Shekerinska said the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession process would strengthen European values and ensure the country and region’s continued development in accordance with European values while putting an end to attempts of other non-European influences.
Nad provided open and clear support for the start of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia, noting that the country has delivered on its promises and a positive EU decision would confirm the credibility of the accession process.
In the context of defense cooperation, interlocutors highlighted the openness of both countries for its intensification, considering they firmly believe that NATO unity, mutual support in the development of defense capacities and firm commitment to collective defense are the cornerstones of security and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic area, reads the press release.
