Based on the established initial cooperation for joint activities with the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-ITA), an expert team from this command stayed on a several-day working visit to the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia.
During the stay, the expert team from this command, led by Brigadier General Paolo Fortezza, held several meetings at the Army General Staff commands and units in order to observe and plan the next joint activities.
At the General Staff, Brigadier General Paolo Fortezza had a working meeting with the Deputy Chief of General Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, where they discussed the further activities based on the signed accession note of North Macedonia to the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with this NATO Corps.
General Fortezza held a meeting with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, Vladimir Anchev, on the same topic. At the Operations Command, he held a working meeting with the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgovski.
During the stay, the representatives from NRDC-ITA held expert talks with representatives from the sections of the General Staff, where they discussed cooperation in the field of NATO operations and logistic support during exercises organized by this NATO Command.
The expert team also conducted a reconnaissance and tour of the Training Area “Krivolak”, as part of the preparatory activities for the organization of the joint exercise at this command post planned for 2025.
Thus, the representatives from NRDC-ITA had the opportunity to be familiarized with the accommodation facilities, shooting ranges and training ranges in order to successfully implement the upcoming training activity.
This visit intensifies further cooperation with the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps, which began after last year’s visit of the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Gjurchinovski to this command and the working visit of NRDC/ITA Commander Lieutenant General Lorenzo D’ Addario, in April this year.
With the engagement in the activities of these forces, as a contributor country, we not only have an impact on strengthening the collective security, but it also enhances our capabilities, training and interoperability when engaging in NATO-led operations.
