On the occasion of the 32nd birthday of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, a central ceremony was held at the Water Training Center in Ohrid in the presence of the military and state leaders, marking the 18 August – the Day of the Army.
During the ceremony, in addition to the speeches of President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski, there was also a duty handover-takeover of the Chief of the General Staff between Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski and Major General Sasko Lafchiski, who also addressed the audience.
As part of the scenario, in addition to the reading of the Decrees by President Siljanovska Davkova, there was a ceremonial handover of the General Staff military flag, officially making Major General Sashko Lafchiski the head of the Army as the twelfth Chief of the General Staff.
In her address, President Siljanovska Davkova stressed: “Today’s holiday is a reminder that no one freed us, but we freed ourselves. The Macedonian state was not given as a gift, but was won and acquired through a difficult and just national liberation war…You, the soldiers and officers, cadets and veterans of the Army, are the true guardians of the heritage, the free Macedonian state that 80 years ago of ASNOM was left to us by our brave ancestors.”
The President pointed out that the members of the Army are here, at home, always and wherever they are most needed, providing unreserved support to Macedonian citizens and institutions in dealing with natural disasters such as the wildfires that have lasted this period, but also that 180 members of the Army are currently engaged in peace support missions and NATO operations, contributing to the wider security.
Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski stressed that in all these past years of the Army development, we have all witnessed the sacrifice of these people who have always been at the frontline in protecting their fellow citizens, in fires, floods, pandemics and crises situations. “These are the people around us who took an oath, and not just any oath, but an oath they have sworn to defend the freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our homeland. Well, is there anything more sacred than this! And that is why, from the bottom of my heart, I express my appreciation and huge gratitude for their determination.”
“What is ahead of us in our work to maintain a stable and safe state, but also to preserve peace in the global context, is the preparation of new strategic documents, a new Defense Strategy, an update of the Long-Term Defense Capabilities Development Plan and the Equipping and Modernization Plan.”
“We will continue to invest in defense, because our primary obligation is the protection and security of our citizens, and of Macedonia,” Minister Misajlovski said. At the same time, he stressed the importance of all other institutions in the field of security as well as protecting and dealing with natural disasters and the need to invest in this important area.
The outgoing Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, who was at the head of the Army for two terms in the past six years, said in his speech that the reforms and transformations which were carried out during this period, contributed to an efficient, mobile, motivated and combat-ready Army.
At the same time, General Gjurchinovski, addressing the members of the Army, noted: “Soldiers and officers, be proud of your achievements and continue working in an honorable, responsible and professional manner, it is our obligation and patriotic duty to our homeland, but also the legacy of our famous Ilinden and ASNOM fighters.”
“Time will tell whether and how much has been done for living standards and working conditions, but also for the level of combat readiness” Gjurchinovski stressed.
He sent a message to the incoming Chief of General Staff to take care of everyone in the Army, and to continue maintaining a high level of combat readiness.
In the end, he expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support to the Army, to all Commanders-in-Chief, governments and ministers with whom he cooperated in the past period.
The incoming Chief of General Staff, Major-General Sasko Lafchiski, first of all expressed deep gratitude in his address to all members of the Army who are uncompromisingly coping with the wildfires throughout the country. Speaking about his new appointment, he stressed that it was a great honor to command and lead an Army whose members are heirs and guardians of the traditions of our glorious past. Heirs of the Ilinden Uprising fighters, the partisans and all our heroes embedded into the foundations of the country. “It is a great honor to be at the head of an institution that is synonymous with values and principles, an institution where multiethnicity, morality, ethics, affiliation and patriotism are engraved in the gene of each member. And of course, it is a great honor to be at the head of the institution that enjoys the greatest trust among our citizens “said General Lafchiski.
He assured the state leaders and the citizens that he would invest all knowledge, experience and professionalism in fulfilling the mission of the Army. But at the same time, he stressed that the allies can count on him to continue fulfilling obligations in accordance with NATO’s goals, thus remaining a faithful ally ready to contribute to collective security.
Addressing the members of the Army, he stressed that we serve the citizens and must always be worthy of their trust. “That is why I expect each of you to maintain the highest standards of integrity in all its forms,” said General Lafchiski.
The ceremony was attended by ministers in the Government, members of the Parliament, former defense ministers and chiefs of staff, retired generals, distinguished guests from several institutions in North Macedonia, the Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight, the diplomatic corps in the Republic, military representatives from Norway and other guests.
