Joint Declaration on the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into NATO structures was signed today at a solemn ceremony in the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, thus completing the process of military integration of our country in the Alliance.
The joint declaration was signed by the Army Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne.
In his address at the ceremony, President Stevo Pendarovski stressed that the signing of the declaration shows that the country has achieved significant results after only one and a half year of membership and has confirmed its credibility. According to President Pendarovski, the completion of this process is a success for the Alliance as a whole.
“All this does not mean the end of the wider reform process. On the contrary, this means that we must continue to promote democracy and the functioning of a multiethnic society, while respecting the bilateral and multilateral agreements reached. We have committed that by 2024 we will reach the threshold of allocating 2% of GDP to defense. Although unpredictable things are happening, such as the pandemic or the energy crisis, which are pushing for a different schedule of budget priorities, still, defense and security are the basis for the functioning of all other social sectors,” said President Pendarovski.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski said that today’s act reflects and effects the three decades of hard and dedicated work in all segments as a state, but also as an Army, in order to become part of the most powerful military-political alliance.
“I want to emphasize that the full integration and transformation of our country is a continuous process that practically never ends, but on the contrary is a constant adaptation of the Army and its internal processes that lead to full interoperability with other NATO members, and are aimed at successful management with the modern challenges we face,” said General Gjurchinovski.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne stressed that the end of the integration process of North Macedonia in NATO is a huge success not only for North Macedonia, but also for the Alliance.
“The signing of this Joint Declaration is not only an important milestone for the Armed Forces of North Macedonia, but also confirms the strength of North Macedonia as a credible and important member of the Alliance, a member state that has the will and ability to adjust its structure and forces to NATO needs and demands,” said General Lavigne.
The Minister of Defense, Radmila Shekerinska Jankovska, assessed that today’s act shows that the membership of the Republic of North Macedonia in NATO was a deserved result of major, serious and very ambitious reform processes.
“Let me congratulate all those who participated in this important process, congratulate them and thank them for the many hours spent with invisible work. Because of those many hours of invisible work, today we can visibly boast of this great historical success. In a year and a half of our membership we have met all the requirements for full military integration in the most powerful military-political alliance. It has shown that as the newest member, we are reliable NATO allies, we stand by our word, we are able to honour our commitments without delay, and we guarantee equal contribution to all NATO missions and operations” said Minister Shekerinska Jankovska.
President Pendarovski met with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne earlier that day.
