Today, the General Staff personnel marked the Day of the General Staff, as well as the sixth anniversary of our country’s membership in NATO.
In addition to the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, and the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, the ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Admir Shabani, former Chiefs of the General Staff, active and retired generals; representatives of the Ministry of Defense, and commanders of subordinate commands and units of the Army.
In his address, the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, expressed his gratitude to all current and former members of the General Staff, the highest professional body in the Army that makes strategic decisions on how the Macedonian Army will look in the future, tomorrow, in five years, and in ten years. “Your dedication and vision, including the development of plans for equipping and modernizing the Army, show us the direction we must take in order to have a strong Army capable of fulfilling its constitutional obligation, ensuring a safe and secure country.”
The Minister underscored the strong institutional synergy between the Ministry of Defense and the Army, and emphasized: “We will continue in the same way, with the same dedication and the same love for the homeland, jointly and collectively developing the Macedonian Army!”
On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of NATO membership, Minister Misajlovski paid tribute to the vision and leadership of those who guided the country in its early years, as well as to the generations of personnel whose commitment and contributions enabled the achievement of this strategic objective.
“Today, as a NATO member state, alongside our 31 Allies, we actively participate in decision-making processes that shape the security of the Alliance. We do so with a strong sense of responsibility and a firm commitment to contributing to the collective defense and security of Allied territory.”
As part of the ceremony, the Director of the Army General Staff, Brigadier General Orce Jordev, also addressed attendees, highlighting the central role of the General Staff in planning, organizing, and commanding Army forces.
“Today, we mark 28 March – the Day of the Army General Staff, alongside the sixth anniversary of our full NATO membership, a long-standing strategic objective. This joint commemoration underscores both the significance of the General Staff and the responsibility we carry in fulfilling the Army’s mission and our obligations within the framework of collective defense.”
The address also reflected on the development of the General Staff since its establishment in 1992, emphasizing its role in the implementation of defense reforms and the attainment of NATO standards, which led to full membership in the Alliance in 2020. It was noted that this occasion also provides an opportunity to recognize all those who have made sustained and selfless contributions to the development of the Army, which today stands as a fully capable and reliable contributor alongside Allied forces.
It was further emphasized that the General Staff remains committed to the continued modernization and development of the Army, as well as to active participation in international missions and operations, contributing to global peace and security.
The date of 28 March holds particular significance for the Army, marking the assumption of responsibilities by the General Staff, which played a decisive role in the establishment of the Army. This event took place 34 years ago, following the transfer of control over the national territory and the departure of the last soldier of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA).
