The Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska and the Ambassador of the USA in North Macedonia Angela Ageler, together with the citizens, attended the Open Day in Kavadarci, which is organized as part of the "Quick Response 23" exercise.

"The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate the commonality, alliance and readiness of the participating armies, for mutual cooperation, but also for overcoming any challenges that may arise in the future. It is a pleasure to host several allies from the NATO alliance, and one partner country - Kosovo, with whom we really practice this joint activity and show the strength of the alliance", said the minister at the open day.

 Petrovska said that it was a pleasure to be among the people of Kavadarci at this open day thanked Ambassador Ageler for the continuous American support in the development of the Army.

"It is a pleasure to be in Kavadarci today among the people of Kavadarci with part of the equipment used to perform the exercise "Quick Response 23", and at the same time I thank Ambassador Ageler for the excellent and selfless support she gives to North Macedonia", he said Minister Petrovska.

 Ambassador Ageler emphasized that the fact that members of the US Ground Forces for Europe and Africa, as well as members of the Minnesota National Guard, train side by side with members of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia shows the partnership between the United States and North Macedonia.

"These 30 years of partnership, I really think that they should make you proud, you should be proud of the country, of the soldiers, you should be proud of yourselves and your forces. Thank you very much for the support you provide together with all NATO allies of Ukraine, and at the same time I would like to emphasize that you should be proud of the important role that North Macedonia plays in this region", said Ambassador Ageler.

 On the open day, citizens could get up close and personal with the vehicles and equipment that is part of the exercise, including the sophisticated robotic vehicle called PROJECT ORIGIN, which is in trial use and is a platform for testing and demonstrating new technologies of the US Army.

 The exercise "Quick response 23" ("Immediate Response 23″) which started on May 22 is the largest exercise in North Macedonia this year with the participation of the Armies of 4 NATO countries and one partner country: North Macedonia, the United States of America (Minnesota National Guard), Albania, Montenegro and as a country NATO partner Kosovo, with a total of 1.850 participants.