Stabilizing relations between countries in the region, as well as raising awareness and readiness for collective defense against greater threats were among the main topics discussed at the 26th Conference of the Chiefs of Armies and the Command of US Forces in Europe by the member states. of the USA-Adriatic Charter (A5), which was held today in Skopje.

At the opening, the main speech was given by President Stevo Pendarovski, who pointed out that the prolongation of European integration creates dangers for hybrid threats and the collapse of the stability of the region.

"Unfortunately, the prolongation of European integration, for various reasons, in practically all Western Balkan countries, has shaken the credibility of the European Union. The slow pace of the integration process in the Union is one of the threats to democracy in the Balkans. Several surveys of public opinion show that support for Western-oriented organizations and countries is declining, and for the first time after three decades, support for some other regional organizations and other management models is growing," said Pendarovski.

The president added that the Macedonian state will continue with aid to Ukraine.

"We are ready to continue helping because we believe that the defense of Ukraine is the defense of the European and international order based on principles," Pendarovsky said.

The Minister of Defense, on the other hand, Slavjanka Petrovska, announced that within the framework of NATO cooperation, a team from the Macedonian army will go to Iraq.

"In the final stage of preparation is the joint contribution with the Mobile Training Team which will be sent at the beginning of November to a two-week mission in the NATO Mission in Iraq with a mandate to support the training of the Iraqi Army." The range of ideas and projects for cooperation continues within the framework of the development of defense capabilities within the NATO defense planning process," said Petrovska.

The minister also spoke about the war in Ukraine, pointing to new forms of threats and warfare.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Macedonian Army, General Vasko Gjurcinovski, indicated that the Adriatic Initiative A5 is one of the most successful and efficient regional events for dealing with common security and defense challenges.

"Together, we have developed a mechanism to support mutual security and defense objectives." Together we have developed a mechanism to support our member and partner countries in their integration ambitions and efforts. With our US EUCOM partners, we are constantly identifying contemporary security challenges and working on joint approaches and appropriate responses," said Gjurchinovski.

The Commander of NATO's Supreme Allied Command Europe and the US Forces Europe Command, General Christopher Cavoli, also addressed those present. In his speech, he pointed out that the events in Ukraine are a warning about the need for constant readiness for joint defense.

"The invasion reminds us that we need to work on security every day and the events that are happening in this region show us that we must all contribute to stability every day," said General Cavoli.

In addition to the Chief of the General Staff, Vasko Gjurčinovski as the host and the commander of the US Army Europe Command, General Christopher Cavoli, the chiefs of the armies of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, as well as high military officials from NATO's Naples-based Joint Command and US European Command. Military representatives from Slovenia and Kosovo are also attending the conference as observers.

By the way, the agreement establishing the USA-Adriatic Charter was officially signed in 2003, with which the USA as patron, including North Macedonia, Albania and Croatia, committed through an institutional framework to develop regional cooperation in the field of defense. Five years later in In 2008, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro joined this initiative, and Serbia, Kosovo and Slovenia have the status of observer countries in the group.