The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, participated today, 19 May 2026, in the regular meeting of the NATO Military Committee in the format of Chiefs of Defense of NATO member countries and partner nations, held at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium.
The meeting, headed by the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, focused on the current security situation, strengthening the Alliance’s collective deterrence and defense, continuing defense investments, increasing military production, continued support for Ukraine, as well as cooperation between the EU and NATO.
In his address, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of maintaining Allied unity, readiness, and the capability to respond to contemporary security challenges.
During separate sessions of the meeting, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, and the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Admiral Pierre Vandier, also addressed the Chiefs of Defense, briefing them on current activities, NATO readiness, and transformation processes within the Alliance.
General Lafchiski actively participated in the discussions related to global security challenges, interoperability, the Alliance’s readiness for deterrence and defense, as well as cooperation with partner countries.
In his remarks, General Lafchiski highlighted the Army’s commitment to regional and collective security through participation in international missions, operations, and NATO activities, including the NATO-led mission in Kosovo (KFOR), Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Forward Land Forces (FLF) activities in Bulgaria and Romania.
Additionally, the importance of the national exercise Flash 26 and the evaluation of the Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG), as the primary NATO capability target, was emphasized, together with the ongoing modernization and equipping processes of the Army aimed at strengthening its operational readiness.
On the margins of the meeting, General Lafchiski held a bilateral meeting with the Chief of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lieutenant General Carsten Breuer. The discussion focused on support for Ukraine, the future of the Military Committee and the Alliance, as well as opportunities for further deepening bilateral military cooperation, modernization, and equipping.
As part of his visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, General Lafchiski also met with Army personnel deployed as National Military Representatives of the Republic of North Macedonia to NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
