A delegation of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) led by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Metodija Velichkovski, during their visit of the British Army in the past few days visited the prestige military educational institutions of the UK Armed Forces: the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and the Defense Academy in Shrivenham (DA).
The contribution these military educational institutions provide for the military training and education of ARM members were the major topics of conversation during the meetings with the RMAS Commander, Major General Paul Nanson and the Commander of the Joint Services Command and Staff College of the DA, Major General Julian Free.
In the spirit of deepening the cooperation, General Velichkovski submitted a proposal for experience exchange in the area of military doctrine and planning by having the staff and the attendees of these academic institutions to participate in the activities organized by the Military Academy ‘General Mihajlo Apostolski’, such as the summer camp, but also considered the possibility of professor exchange.
Yesterday, in Camberley, the delegation attended the ‘Sovereign’s Parade’ – a unique ceremony which is held to mark the end of officer training of the cadets at the Royal Military Academy and their promotion to officers, among whom is one ARM member who has completed his education.
Until now, about ten ARM members were sent and have successfully completed their education and their postgraduate studies on different military areas of study at the UK Academies like, the Royal College in London, the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, Cranfield University Shrivenham, the Royal Military Academy – Sandhurst and the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
This several-days official visit of the ARM delegation is especially significant for the mutual cooperation between the ARM and the UK Army, not only because this is the first meeting realized at this level of Chiefs of the General Staffs of both Armies, but also for strengthening the support we receive from this partner army in the integration process of the Republic of Macedonia in the North-Atlantic alliance.
