Vlado Misajlovski, Minister of Defense / Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

VIDEO INTERVIEW | Vlado Misajlovski: The 5 percent threshold for defense is impossible, Macedonia will try to reach 3 percent

The announcements to invest 5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in defense, which is more than double the current target for spending by the North Atlantic Alliance, is a serious amount that will pose a problem for many European countries, including our country. However, Macedonia will make an effort to reach 3 percent of the expenditure in the upcoming period with the allocation for the military-defense sector, which is difficult but realistic for a small country and an army like ours, the Minister of Defense stated. Vlado Misajlovski.

– That is a serious amount of 5 percent. Many governments would have trouble reaching 5 percent, but what was discussed at the last NATO meetings, one of which I attended, as well as at the NATO summit in Washington, was to reach over 3 percent. At this moment, it is difficult to reach over 3 percent in any country. We are fulfilling our task of investing over 2 percent of GDP and over 20 percent of defense funds for modernization, but this will be a serious step. I know that in times like these, on such a basis, investments are constantly required in additional equipment and the budget must grow. However, let's see if any country will reach this percentage. This will certainly be one of the main topics of the first NATO summit that Trump will attend in June-July – said Misajlovski.

According to the Minister of Defense, although increasing defense spending to 5 percent seems impossible in the current economic situation, even for relatively wealthier nations, Macedonia will continue to allocate to the military-defense sector.

– More than 106 million euros of funds from this year's budget, or 18 million more than last year's, will be allocated for the modernization of the Army. The Ministry of Defense has already allocated far from the required level for the modernization of the Army, and this certainly includes the procurement of Leonardo helicopters, Stryker armored combat vehicles, the Mistral anti-aircraft system, as well as the Turkish Boran howitzers, which will be part of the systems for which funds will be allocated from the Budget for this and the coming years. These are huge sums that we will have to pay in the future, but what makes me happy is the fact that most of the purchases will arrive this calendar year. As an exclusive, I can confirm that at the beginning of next month the Macedonian Army will be equipped with six new American Stryker combat vehicles. This is part of the agreements signed with the United States, which are currently being implemented – Misajlovski emphasized.

There is no decision to send our soldiers to Ukraine and there will be none, claims the head of the Defense Ministry. According to Misajlovski, Macedonia is a member of NATO and we, as a member state, will respect and implement all decisions made within the Alliance, because we are an integral part of the process of making those decisions, but for now, there is no thought about sending any soldiers to possible peacekeeping missions in Ukraine.

– It has not been requested, but even if it were requested, Macedonia will not send its soldiers or peacekeepers to Ukraine. But what is good about the situation, or rather it is hinted at, is that there will be peace talks. Macedonia will certainly contribute to global peace, but our interest is to protect and preserve domestic peace – Misajlovski stressed.

Asked about the findings that he and his family were illegally monitored, Misajlovski stressed that those who worked outside the law would have to be held accountable.

– What was done illegally must be prevented. We are all witnesses that after several years we always have a scandal in the functioning of institutions. Whether in intelligence or in services, etc. and that should be prevented. That is only possible through the reform of the security authorities, and if it is determined that someone has made a mistake and exceeded their authority, they will be held accountable before the law – Misajlovski pointed out.

The head of the Ministry of Defense, regarding VREDI's announcements regarding a Law for former NLA members, said that such an initiative neither exists nor will VMRO-DPMNE support it.

– Macedonian defenders, we know who Macedonian defenders are. Those who protect it, love it and give their lives for Macedonia, that is, those who work every day to suppress all structures that want to threaten sovereignty and security. I don't know what kind of solution we are talking about, but everyone should know that regardless of nationality, if they are part of the Army or the police, they are all our defenders and only those people should we respect to the fullest extent – ​​concluded Misajlovski.

More from the interview with Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski in the video above.

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