Today, 11th February 2015, at the ARM House in Skopje, the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski briefed the President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov on the combat readiness of the Army in 2014. The briefing was attended by the Minister of Defence, Zoran Jolevski, the chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on Defense and Security, Emil Dimitriev, prominent leaders in the MoD and GS and the commanders of the subordinate commands and units in the Army.
During the briefing President Ivanov was informed by the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski about the implementation of the plans and objectives in 2014, according to the ARM functional areas.
Based on the General Staff comprehensive annual analysis, it was concluded that the Army, despite objective difficulties and limitations, was an exemplary institution in the performance of tasks, both domestically and internationally. The Army executed the mission and the tasks successfully whilst the combat readiness was at the required level. The Chief of ARM General Staff particularly emphasized the successful execution of key tasks and projects that marked the past year, such as the successful execution of international missions outside the Republic of Macedonia, while highlighting the end of the ISAF mission and the start of the mission “Determined support “in IR Afghanistan, the ARM transformation in accordance with the dynamic plan, the assistance of institutions in natural disasters relief and rescue operations, the adoption of a number of rules and guidelines of doctrinal character regulating smooth execution of complex tasks and strengthened regional and international military cooperation.
President Ivanov used this opportunity to congratulate the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia on their selfless commitment to the rise of one of the most trusted institutions in the country. He also emphasized that the ARM can serve as an example, and that it proved its readiness, among other things, through meeting NATO standards, through successful execution of missions abroad, as well as through dealing with natural disasters.
The Defence Minister, Zoran Jolevski highlighted that in 2015, the Army will get maximum support for raising the combat readiness. The Minister said that the Ministry of Defence will continue to support the Army in the successful execution of its function.
As main priorities and measures which in 2015 will contribute to further strengthening and raising the level of combat readiness and morale of ARM members were singled out: regular manning of the Army, adjustment of training under the current NATO security challenges and requirements, extension in engaging the Army in peacekeeping missions, project implementation, “ARM my true home” and further raising of the level of training of the ARM members.
On this occasion, General Koteski directed special attention to the process of modernization of the Army, according to long-term plan to modernize the defense, which was adopted by the Government, as well as to the implementation of the concept of reserve forces as a key factor in the transformation of the Army which started in 2012 and should be completed this year.
