The Partnership Program for cooperation that has been successfully implemented for more than two decades, with the active involvement of the Vermont National Guard and Norwich University in the field of military training and education, resulted in a true friendship between Republic of Macedonia and the US Federal State of Vermont.
This was stated by the ARM Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Metodija Velichkovski, during the meeting yesterday (19th of April) in Montpellier with the Governor of Vermont, Mr. Phil Scott, attended by the Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Steven Cray.
The strategic partnership with Vermont was confirmed at the meeting with the Governor. The possibility of improving and expanding the cooperation between Macedonia and Vermont in different areas of interest was emphasized, in order to meet the strategic orientation of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the Euro-Atlantic integrations.
During the stay in the US, the ARM delegation visited the Military University Norwich, which is the oldest private military university in the US, and this year celebrates 200 years of its existence.
General Velichkovski had a meeting with the University President Admiral Dr.Richard Schneider. He also met the cadets from the Republic of Macedonia who represent the second generation of cadets attending lectures at this prestigious military university in duration of one semester, on the basis of the established cooperation with the Military Academy.
At the end of the workday the delegation visited the Agency for Crisis Management and National Security of Vermont, where they discussed the completed joint activities as well as the forms of future cooperation with this Agency.
The significance of the Partnership Program for cooperation with the Vermont National Guard is reflected in the completed activities – from the beginning until today more than 800 operations have been carried out, at which over 6000 ARM members mastered the standards, techniques and procedures of the US armed forces, which are now implemented in the ARM commands and units, thus meeting the NATO standards.
The completed joint exercises and the participation in the task force “Phoenix” in the ISAF mission are an incentive to deepen cooperation in other areas, as well as to establish cooperation with civic organizations in Macedonia. With the support of the Governor and the office of the Vermont National Guard, various activities in several areas have started in the past seven years.
