A delegation from the Standing Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, as part of their official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia, visited the Army today. The visit coincides with the fifth anniversary of the country’s NATO membership and began at the “Ilinden” barracks in Skopje. The delegation was welcomed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, the Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski, representatives of the Parliament, Army generals, and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Army.
During the visit to the barracks, part of the equipment used by the Army was presented, and demonstration exercises were conducted, showcasing the training and preparedness of Army personnel in executing complex scenarios.
The visit continued at the Army House in Skopje, where Major General Lafchiski addressed the attendees. Referring to the tragic incident in Kochani, in which many innocent civilians lost their lives, he emphasized that such situations highlight the need for better preparedness, stronger cooperation, and greater resilience—values that form the foundation of both national defense and NATO membership. Speaking about the Alliance’s principles, General Lafchiski pointed out that NATO membership remains a cornerstone of Macedonia’s stability and security during increasingly complex global security challenges.
“This anniversary serves as a reminder that our place in the Alliance is the result of decades of hard work, and our future is built on the principles of collective defense, solidarity, and cooperation,” he added.
The Standing Committee is the highest governing body of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. It carries out a wide range of political and administrative functions, coordinates the overall work of the Assembly, approves planned meetings, and provides guidance to various committees to ensure coherent operation of the Assembly’s agenda.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is a multilateral organization that establishes a vital link between NATO and the parliaments of member countries, contributing in its own way to the promotion of the transatlantic values of the Alliance. It is composed of 281 delegates from the 32 NATO member countries, as well as delegates from associate member countries, regional partners, and Mediterranean associate members, along with parliamentary observers from other countries and from parliamentary assemblies such as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and a delegation from the European Parliament.
