As part of the largest NATO exercise in Europe in 2021, and thanks to the open approach in realization of the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Friendship Treaty with Bulgaria, North Macedonia is today a full-fledged NATO member. The realization of this strategic goal required brave decisions and courage. I am pleased to see the Krivolak army field, one of the best in this part of the world, hosting an exercise that includes the participation of our army together with our allies and friends – United States, Greece and Bulgaria, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in his address at the Distinguished Visitors Day within exercise “Decisive Strike 21” on Monday.
Army forces of North Macedonia, United States, Greece and Bulgaria, supported by army helicopters and F16 jets will present attack operations of infantry and special units.
“I am proud of our Army, our officers and troops in their will for advancement. They carry out all tasks in the best possible way, shoulder to shoulder with our allies not only at home but also through participation in international peacekeeping missions. We are no longer alone as NATO members. North Macedonia will no longer be questioned or isolated from the world. As part of the powerful NATO family, as an integral part of the security shield of the most powerful military alliance in the world, the country has become a factor of stability in the region, exporter of security,” said PM Zaev.
According to him, North Macedonia’s NATO membership has redefined the country’s role on the international security stage, cementing its stability and prosperity.
Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska said the exercise demonstrates unity, alliance, preparedness and cooperation that can be found only in the most powerful and largest military-political alliance the world has ever known.
“We are here to demonstrate that NATO’s power lies in its unity. ‘Decisive Strike’ shows that NATO membership is not only a formal achievement on paper and realization of our strategic goal. NATO membership is everyday practical work, joint exercises and warfare, field activities that legitimize the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia as equal and aligned with other allied armies. Exercise ‘Decisive Strike 21’ and the recently completed ‘Trojan Footprint 21’ are part of the largest NATO exercise in Europe this year dubbed ‘Defender Europe 21’”, said Minister Shekerinska.
She expressed hope that like soldiers, officers and allied armies have worked during the exercise, elected representatives and officials will work together in the coming weeks to make decisions that will be an investment in common security and future.
President and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Stevo Pendarovski, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, Minister of Health Venko Filipche, Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi, Montenegro Minister of Defense Olivera Injac, Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Vasko Gjuchinovski, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Jed Schaert, United States Ambassador Kate Byrnes, Greek Ambassadors Roussos Koundouras, Albanian Ambassador Fatos Reka, representatives of armed forces and defense ministries of U.S. Bulgaria and Greece, NATO officials, South-Eastern European Brigade (SEEBRIG) Commander, Major General Aristeidis Iliopoulos, Bulgarian Special Forces Commander, Major-General Yavor Mateev, as well as defense attaches accredited in the country also attend the event.
