North Macedonia will continue to invest in the development of the Krivolak army field, which no longer serves as just our military capacity, but one for the entire Alliance, President Stevo Pendarovski said on Monday during the Distinguished Visitors Day at the “Decisive Strike 21” military exercise.

“In the past few weeks, you had an excellent opportunity to inspect interoperability with several NATO members. You have proven the ability to plan and organize major exercises with allied forces,” said President Pendarovski, congratulating exercise participants.

He added that aside from confirming the capacity for conducting integrated operations in a military sense, this exercise is very important for strengthening Transatlantic partnership, as well as safety in Europe and the Western Balkans.

“By planning and implementing a military exercise together, North Macedonia and the U.S. have affirmed long-lasting strategic partnership. The exercise also had an important regional dimension,” Pendarovski noted.

Representatives of the Greek and Bulgarian armies also took part in the exercise, which according to the President, “strengthened the bilateral partnership with two of our neighbors, while also intensifying regional cooperation in areas of security and defence.”

“No matter how happy we are with the success of one mission, we mustn’t think that the work is done. It’s crucial we continue to implement reforms, invest in defence, modernize and equip the Army, as well as participate as a full-fledged member in NATO-led missions. By investing in regional peace and global stability, we are also investing in our safety, the most important national interest we have sworn to protect,” Pendarovski underlined.

Army forces of North Macedonia, United States, Greece and Bulgaria, supported by army helicopters and F16 jets presented attack operations of infantry and special units during the Decisive Strike 21” military exercise at the Krivolak army field.