The ambassador of Ukraine, Larisa Dir, participated in the celebration of the third anniversary of North Macedonia’s accession to NATO, organized at the highest state level. In her speech, Ambassador Dir congratulated Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani, Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska and “the Macedonian people for this fateful event”. Here is the Ambassador Dir’s address:

For the first time, thanks to the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Buyar Osmani, I have the honor to publicly congratulate one of the member states of the NATO family – the Republic of North Macedonia on the third anniversary of its accession to the Alliance.

And before the flag of North Macedonia rose above the Alliance Headquarters in March 2020 – the country went through painstaking and daily work, inclusively on the main instruments – I am referring to the decision of the Parliament of the 23rd of December 1993 regarding the acquisition of North Macedonia’s membership in NATO and the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia submitted to the depository of the Treaty, the United States, on the 27th of March 2020.

The efforts of the Government and the Macedonian people have overcome many obstacles on the way to democratic reforms and integration processes in order to meet NATO’s high standards.

The cornerstone of the Alliance is Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Collective defense is a reliable guarantee of security in the face of modern challenges.

And North Macedonia has made and is making efforts to develop the country’s capacity to contribute to collective security. With the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to the North Atlantic Alliance, North Macedonia itself became stronger, and the Alliance itself strengthened its power.

It certainly gives confidence to any country, and also makes the measures to overcome the consequences of the war of the russian federation against Ukraine most effective. These consequences include cyber and hybrid threats, vulnerability of critical infrastructure, audacious disinformation.

The youngest member state of NATO – North Macedonia provides one of the largest assistances to Ukraine regarding the military aggression of the russian federation.

The 7 decisions of the Government of North Macedonia during the year to provide military aid to Ukraine are of vital importance in the battlefield for the Ukrainian defenders, who, at the cost of their own lives, defend both Ukraine and democratic values. Providing Ukraine with additional means of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense, long-range weapons and fighter jets will save the lives of Ukrainians and speed up the victory over the aggressor country russia, which in itself will strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.

Please do not protract the supply of weapons to our soldiers that can protect Ukrainians. Every hour on the battlefield counts.

We are sincerely grateful to North Macedonia and deeply appreciate its help. Currently chairing the OSCE, North Macedonia effectively performs the most difficult function to ensure the functioning of this security forum in such dangerous conditions of the war of russia against Ukraine.

And surviving and fighting in such conditions, Ukraine seeks security guarantees. NATO has always supported Ukraine. After the 24th of February 2022, such support and assistance became comprehensive and optimal. And this contains the important role of North Macedonia. Ukraine also hopes that the Vilnius summit will optimize security guarantees for Ukraine.

I would like to wish North Macedonia and the Macedonian people strength, success, energy and prosperity, being in the collective safe family – NATO, whose doors are open for Ukraine as well.

Thank you for your attention and support! Stand with Ukraine.

Source: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of North Macedonia