The chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, visited the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Army, as part of his official visit to the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia.
After being welcomed with high military honors, Admiral Bauer held meetings with his host, the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Vasko Gjurchinovski and with the Minister of Defense, Slavjanka Petrovska.
During the meeting General Gjurchinovski and Admiral Bauer discussed current topics related to our participation in NATO activities and operations, the activities of the Army, transformation and equipping, as well as other aspects related to the common security policy resulting from the conclusions at the NATO Military Committee meetings.
At the joint meeting, the plans and capability building of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, the process of transformation and equipping, as well as the participation of the Army in operations and training activities were presented to the delegation.
It was emphasized by General Gjurchinovski that the General Staff and the Army are successfully implementing all priorities related to meeting the standards and reaching the goals of capabilities in the foreseen dynamics. “In the period of the next ten years, we are focused on the construction of mobile, sustainable and properly equipped units capable of rapid deployment, sustainability of the capacities related to personnel, equipment and infrastructure, modernization and equipping in accordance with the established priorities”, noted General Gjurchinovski .
At the press conference with Admiral Bauer and General Gjurchinovski, Minister Petrovska emphasized that the state is an active ally that strengthens collective security, works dedicatedly to develop its capacities and firmly believes in the unity and cohesion of the Alliance. “If there is one thing we believe in fully and fight for uncompromisingly, it is our unity and cohesion as an Alliance. 31 countries with one voice that says – there is no compromise for the safety, security and stability of every inch of allied territory and for the citizens of our countries, which are over one billion people in the world. North Macedonia showed and proved what a dedicated ally looks like,” said the Minister.
The Chief of the General Staff, General Gjurchinovski informed that he discussed with the highest military representative of NATO the current development processes in the defense, reforms and transformation, participation in operations and the priorities for the next decade.
Admiral Rob Bauer spoke highly of our commitment to NATO’s collective defense system at the press conference. “In just three years, you have achieved an impressive level of military integration into NATO, adapting your structures and forces to NATO’s needs and requirements, as well as increasing your interoperability. You have announced a major overhaul of your national security strategy, so that it can be more in line with NATO’s Strategic Concept. This will allow for even greater alignment of our defense planning and our joint responses…” Bauer noted.
During the day, Admiral Bauer will have a meeting with the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani.
At the same time, Bauer will visit the “Ilinden” barracks, where he will attend part of the planned activities of the Special Forces Battalion, and the next day he will also visit the “General Mihailo Apostolski” Military Academy, where he will give a lecture to the members of the General Staff and the Military Academy.
The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia is focused on implementing the already started processes of transformation, reorganization and fulfillment of the defined insights according to the NATO 2030 concept. The Army participates in the NATO operations called “enhanced Forward Presence” and “enhanced Vigilance Activities”, which refer to the strengthening of NATO’s presence in the North-West and South-East, thus demonstrating the solidarity, resolve and ability to defend the territory and citizens of the Alliance.
In doing so, the Army contingents participate in multinational battle groups in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania, each led by a framework nation complementary to host nation forces.
