The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, in the presence of the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, visited Army service personnel at the “Ilinden” barracks in Skopje today.
During his address to the Army personnel, General Grynkewich emphasized our membership in the most powerful alliance in history. He evaluated our contribution to the implementation of regional plans, participation in the NATO forward land forces, as well as in the KFOR mission as outstanding, noting that these are the result of our commitment, modernization, and fulfillment of the set goals for capability development.
In his address, General Grynkewich also sent a message: “Together, we must all be prepared. You must train hard. You must study the wars of today and the past to be ready for the conflicts of the future. You must think about the changes in the character of warfare that we see on the modern battlefield and adapt to the new realities that we could jointly face on some future battlefield.” Reflecting on our membership in the Alliance, General Grynkewich emphasized, “I am exceptionally proud that we serve together.”
As part of the visit, General Grynkewich had the opportunity to directly familiarize himself with the weaponry, equipment, and assets available to the Army, as well as to observe tactical exercises, thereby witnessing the readiness of the Army personnel when conducting combat operations in complex and dynamic environments against a diverse enemy.
During the joint statements to the media, General Lafchiski expressed his satisfaction with the visit, stating, “This visit is another confirmation of our clear commitment to the defense of shared values and the trust we build within the Alliance. For us, membership in the Alliance is not just a security guarantee, but also an obligation to actively contribute to the collective defense and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.”
General Lafchiski also stated that “Today, the Macedonian Army is modern, well-equipped, and highly trained. This is not just our view, but represents an objective and confirmed assessment, obtained through a series of rigorous evaluations of personnel, equipment, and procedures. An argument for this is the NATO evaluation of the Light Infantry Battalion Group during the exercise FLASH 26, as well as the NATO evaluation of the Special Operations Combat Elements,” General Lafchiski added.
In his address to the media, General Grynkewich emphasized, “The Republic of North Macedonia is a highly valued ally,” adding that our country plays a key role in preserving the stability of the Western Balkans – a region of strategic importance for the Alliance. On this occasion, General Grynkewich also expressed his gratitude for the Macedonian contribution to the NATO-led missions in KFOR and on its eastern flank.
Today’s activity at the “Ilinden” barracks in Skopje, which was attended by Army generals, high-ranking NATO representatives, as well as commanders of the Army’s commands and units, concluded the official visit of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe to the Army. The visit serves as yet another confirmation of our country’s strong contribution to the collective defense of the Alliance, as well as our commitment and contribution to regional and collective security.
