A high level delegation of the National Guard (NG) of the State of Vermont led by the VNG Commander Major General Steven Cray, arrived today on an official three day visit to ARM. The delegation was welcomed by the Chief of the General Staff (GS) of ARM, Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski.
During the visit of ARM GS Major General Cray, joined by the USA Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia HE Paul Wohlers, was also received by the Minister of Defence Dr. Zoran Jolevski.
The guests from Vermont NG, during the meeting held at the ARM General Staff, were informed about the experiences gained from participating in NATO, EU and UN missions. The participation of ARM in the latest NATO mission in Afghanistan “Decisive Support”, and promoting the cooperation with Vermont National Guard in the future, were also discussed at the meeting.
In his press statement, General Koteski highlighted the high level of cooperation between ARM and the NG of Vermont, especially regarding the co-deployment in peace missions, conduct of joint exercises, training and education of both armies. The Chief of ARM GS stressed the importance of widening the future cooperation with NG of Vermont and the incentive for organizing a conference where the armies from the region, and the national guards of the USA states as their partners, could look at possibilities for developing special units for natural disasters relief, as well as training of the medical personnel. General Koteski said that the cooperation between the NG of Vermont and ARM was an example and incentive for the expanding the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Vermont.
General Cray expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality, and highlighted that he was proud of the cooperation with ARM and that the friendship that had been built in the past years had grown into a partnership. Calling the members of both armies „brothers and sisters- in- arms“, he pointed out that the numerous activities undertaken so far, by the two armies, had strengthened this partnership. General Cray added that the qualities which are valued in the NG of Vermont, integrity, service and excellence, are the same for the service personnel of both armies.
After the official statements, there was a ceremony during which Colonel Dan Pipes was presented with an ARM plaque by ARM Chief of the General Staff, and at the same time VNG Commander awarded a Medal of Merit to Colonel Zoran Sekulovski.
During his stay General Cray will also visit the ARM Medical Centre, the Training Centre for pilots and the Air Force Brigade.
