North Macedonia’s NATO accession is a true regional success. Your military contributions to the Allied Command Operations are vital to the peace and stability in the Western Balkans and security in Europe, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod Wolters said during a meeting with Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska on Wednesday.
General Wolters is one of two NATO strategic commanders and is in charge of the Allied Command Operations (ACO). He was received on Wednesday at the Ministry of Defence with high military honors by the Chief of General Staff, General Vasko Gjurchinovski.
During their meeting, Wolters and Shekerinska discussed the importance of the strategic connection between NATO and the EU, as a process in which North Macedonia can contribute as a European member of NATO, especially given the successful strengthening of its defence relations with European allies over the past year, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release.
They also talked about the importance of developing Krivolak as a national and NATO capacity and the success of the largest NATO exercise “Defender Europe 21″, which incorporated the Decisive Strike 21 exercise at Krivolak as its integral part, press release read.
Welcoming him and thanking him for the honour, the press release read, Minister Shekerinska said at the meeting with the Wolters, that North Macedonia as the newest member of NATO is focused on the obligations arising from membership, committed to the values and principles of the Alliance and contributes to regional security and strengthening of NATO unity.
“From a country that strived to become a NATO member for three decades, we are now part of the Alliance with an active contribution to regional security. With the steady increase of the defence budget, we are investing in the modernization and increase of the capacities of the Army with special attention to the transparency of the overall process. North Macedonia will continue to contribute to the Alliance’s missions and operations, especially the KFOR in Kosovo and the mission in Iraq, for which there are ongoing preparations for sending a contingent from the Ministry and the Army. The continuous long-term contribution to the ISAF, and then to the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which according to the NATO decision is in its final stage of completion, is a proof of the active role of the Army of North Macedonia in the Alliance’s operations,” the Minister said.
Participation of members of the Army of North Macedonia in NATO missions in the past year, the press release read, but also many years before gaining NATO membership, was assessed as an outstanding contribution to the Alliance with the highest results.
General Wolters also met on Wednesday with General Gjurchinovski.
“They discussed current processes carried out in the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia for full NATO integration, such as the process of transformation of the Army commands and units and the level of achieved goals and capabilities. They also talked about the joint activities involving members of the Army in international exercises and NATO-led peace operations,” read the Defence Ministry’s release.
As part of the visit agenda, the high-ranking guest had the opportunity to see demonstration exercises at the Ilinden barracks performed by members of North Macedonia’s Army. Several units demonstrated their training level in specific activities by applying the standards and procedures in NATO operations.
