As part of the agenda for military integration of the Republic of North Macedonia in NATO, which will be formally marked by today’s signing of the Joint Declaration, The NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne, had a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Radmila Shekerinska and the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski.
After the reception ceremony with military honors in front of the Ministry of Defense, General Philippe Lavigne first met General Gjurchinovski to discuss the activities carried out by the Army in the process of transformation and the level of readiness achieved in meeting NATO target capabilities.
During the meeting, General Gjurchinovski emphasized that the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia in the past period worked hard and continuously in order to fulfill the tasks of the army in the integration process, as well as in advancing the achieved NATO standards and criteria.
During the meeting, Minister Radmila Shekerinska first thanked General Lavigne, who arrived in Skopje as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation to finalize the integration process.
Minister Shekerinska said that North Macedonia is proud to have successfully completed the integration process, emphasizing that we will continue with commitment to participate in the NATO transformation processes and thus contribute to the common defense capabilities of the Alliance.
Yesterday, at the Final Integration Conference, General Lavigne, pointed out that the act of formal military integration was a success not only for North Macedonia but also for NATO. During today’s talks he stressed the importance of the Joint Declaration signing, which is not only a defense capabilities achievement, but also confirms the strengthening of the Republic of North Macedonia as a trusted and important member of the Alliance, a state that is ready and able to adjust its defense structure and forces.
During this historic visit to the Republic of North Macedonia, which marks the full NATO integration, after his meetings at the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, General Lavigne, will meet the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev and the President of the Republic of North Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Stevo Pendarovski.
Today, after the planned meetings with the Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev and President Stevo Pendarovski, a ceremony for signing the Joint Declaration will be held, at which after the address of the first people in the defense and the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Gjurchinovski and General Lavigne will sign the Joint Declaration with which North Macedonia will be formally fully militarily integrated into the NATO alliance.
