The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Supreme Commander of the Army, Stevo Pendarovski, was briefed on the combat readiness of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia in 2020, today, at the Army House in Skopje, by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjuthcinovski.
There were many guests at the first briefing on combat readiness after our country had become NATO member state including, the Minister of Defense, Radmila Shekerinska, Generals of the Army, representatives of the president’s cabinet and of the Ministry of Defense.
President Pendarovski was briefed on several functional areas in the Army including, personnel management and morale, operations, training and exercises, logistic support, planning, signals and communication, budgeting, and civil-military cooperation. The topics included planned and conducted training activities, Army assistance of the state institutions in their response to Covid-19, current transformation and integration process according to NATO standardization agreements, and other work segments of the military units which affect their combat readiness.
General Gjurchinovski said that all Army service personnel conduct their tasks of assisting the state institutions in their response to the virus Covid-19 with dedication and professionalism. Additionally, they make preparations for their international operations participation and they will continue to conduct planned tasks connected to NATO integrated structure.
Moreover, he said that as part of the combat readiness, the morale of the Army service personnel has been raised as by the standard of living improvement and renovation of working facilities.
The Minister of MoD, Radmila Shekerinska said that, as NATO member state, North Macedonia has obligation not only to achieve but also to enhance NATO standardization agreements together with all allies, which implies constant investment in Army combat readiness. The priority of investing in combat readiness includes recruiting new service members who were motivated by improved working conditions, higher salary and modernization of the Army. In addition, the Minister said that continuous increase of defense budget of 0.2% in the last 3 years, in order to reach 2% of GDP until 2024, makes this possible.
“Improving combat readiness is our national and NATO priority. Light Infantry Battalion is going to become a Light Infantry Battle Group in a few years. Primary focus when building NATO capability is manning the Army, providing equipment, and training. High state of readiness is demonstrated every day by our peacekeepers who participate in peacekeeping operations.” – said Minister Shekerinska.
The President and Supreme Commander, Stevo Pendarovski addressing the audience at the briefing said:
“This year of 2020, with all challenges that has brought, is historic for our Army, due to the fact that the Republic of North Macedonia became a NATO member state, which represents achievement of one of the strategic goals of our country, validating all efforts of the service personnel from the beginning of our independence until now.
As the Supreme Commander, I am proud of the high professionalism and dedication of the Army service personnel in the course of this year. During the period of declared state of emergency the Army confirmed their readiness by responding to state institutions needs and giving support when it was required.
Investing in modernization and equipping of the Army has to continue. Achieving the goal of 2% of GDP for the Defense is going to remain one of my main priorities in the next few years.”
The Chief of General Staff is required to annually brief the President of the Republic of North Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the armed forces on army combat readiness.
