The Chief of the Armed Forces (AF) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Admiral Rob Bauer, who is paying a three-day official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia, today paid a visit to the General Staff of the Army and the Ministry of Defence.
Admiral Bauer, after receiving high military honours, obeying the measures and recommendations for preventing the spread of the Covid 19 virus, met with his host, Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski and the Minister of Defence Radmila Shekjerinska.
General Gjurchinovski, after expressing gratitude for the continuous support and contribution of the General Assembly of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for our full NATO membership, discussed with his counterpart the possibilities for advancing future cooperation as NATO allies, especially in the process of military education, as well as the cooperation at operational level, by conducting joint military exercises using the facilities of the Krivolak Army Training Area.
Admiral Bauer expressed readiness to intensify further cooperation and expert assistance in the process of full integration into NATO structures.
During the meeting of Minister Shekjerinska with Admiral Bauer, the possibilities of advancing the bilateral cooperation and the new challenges in the defence were also discussed.
During the official meeting, the delegation from the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands got acquainted with the mission and tasks, the process of transformation of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, participation in peacekeeping operations, as well as the forms and opportunities for exercises between the two armies.
The delegation of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will also visit the Special Operations Battalion in the “Ilinden” barracks and will get acquainted with the activities and training of this unit through a demonstration exercise. During the day, the delegation will visit the water training camp in Ohrid, where they will get acquainted with the mission and tasks of this army unit.
Admiral Bauer will also meet with the President of the Republic of North Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Army, Stevo Pendarovski.
The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia has developed military cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1999, which is primarily important in the segment of military education of members of the Army in the Higher Military Institutions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as in the assistance and mentoring of the Regional Center for Public Relations.
