Northern Macedonia's accession to NATO last year is a real regional success. "Your military contribution to the Allied Command Operations is vital to the peace and stability of the Western Balkans and the security of Europe," NATO Allied Commander Europe Todd Walters said at a meeting with Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska.

General Walters, one of NATO's two strategic commanders in command of Allied Command Operations (ACO) and commander of US forces for Europe, was greeted in front of the Ministry of Defense and Army General Staff with high military honors by the chief of the General Staff, General Vasko Gjurcinovski.

The meeting with Sekerinska discussed the importance of the strategic connection between NATO and the EU as a process in which Northern Macedonia as a European member of NATO can contribute, especially given the successful strengthening of defense relations with European allies in the last year. They also talked about the importance of the development of "Krivolak" as a national and NATO capacity and the success of the largest NATO exercise "Defender Europe 21", which was an integral part of the exercise "Decisive Strike 21" on "Krivolak", said the Ministry of Defense.

Welcoming and thanking him for the honor, said in a statement, Minister Sekerinska said at the meeting that Northern 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 actively contributes to regional security and strengthening. of NATO unity, said the Ministry of Defense.

- From a country that for three decades wanted to become a member of NATO, we are now part of the Alliance with an active contribution to regional security. With the steady increase of the defense budget, we are investing in the modernization and increase of the capacities of the Army with special attention to the transparency of the process. Northern Macedonia will continue to contribute to the Alliance's missions and operations, especially the KFOR forces in Kosovo and the mission in Iraq, where preparations are under way to send a contingent from the Ministry and the Army. The continuous long-term contribution to the ISAF force, and then to the "Determined Support" mission in Afghanistan, which according to the NATO decision is being completed, is proof of the active role of the Army of Northern Macedonia in the Alliance's operations, the minister said.

The Ministry of Defense informs that the participation of the members of the Army of Northern Macedonia in NATO missions in the last year, but also many years before NATO membership is assessed as an outstanding contribution to the Alliance with the highest results.

During the meeting between Generals Gjurcinovski and Walters, the current processes taking place in the Army of the Republic of Northern Macedonia for full integration into NATO were discussed, such as the process of transformation of the Army commands and units and the level of achieved goals and capabilities. , as well as the joint activities in which members of the Army participate in international exercises and NATO-led peacekeeping operations, informs the MoD.

As part of the program for the visit, in the barracks "Ilinden" in front of the high guest were performed demonstration exercises by members of the Army. Several units demonstrated training in specific activities by applying standards and procedures in NATO operations.