Riga, 27 September, 2025 – The Army Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, is participating today in the annual NATO Military Committee Conference (MCC), held in Riga, the Republic of Latvia.
The conference is attended by Chiefs of Defense from NATO member countries, as well as senior representatives of the Alliance, including the Chair of the Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, and the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Admiral Pierre Vandier.
General Lafchiski reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of North Macedonia to strengthening collective defense and stability in the region, as well as its continued support for Ukraine. He emphasized that the country will continue to participate in defense activities in the eastern part of the Alliance, and will invest in improving its operational readiness through modernization of the Army and training.
In the context of current security challenges, General Lafchiski expressed strong solidarity with Poland and Estonia regarding the recent violations of their airspace by the Russian Federation. He assessed that these actions constitute a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional security and NATO’s eastern flank, and stressed support for all measures that NATO is taking to ensure collective security.
The working sessions focused on the implementation of defense plans, support for Ukraine, and the Alliance’s adaptation to new security challenges and technology.
The conference will conclude with a joint press conference by the Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, and the Chief of Defense of the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia, Major General Kaspars Pudāns.
The NATO Military Committee meets in Chiefs of Defense Session (MC/CHOD) twice a year (in January and May) at its Headquarters in Brussels. In addition, once a year, one of the member countries hosts a special conference, which brings together all 32 Chiefs. Additional meetings may be convened during the year, if deemed necessary. The Military Committee meets to discuss NATO operations, missions, exercises, capabilities and other relevant topics. Its main role is to provide the North Atlantic Council with unlimited, consensus-based military advice on how the Alliance can best address global security challenges. The day-to-day work of the Committee is carried out by the Military Representatives of the member countries, based at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
