Within the framework of the official visit of the Armed Forces (AF) of the USA, yesterday (September 29th), the Chief of General Staff of ARM Lieutenant General Metodija Velichkovski met the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the AF of the USA General Paul Selva in Washington.
At the meeting in Pentagon, General Velichkovski expressed gratitude for the support that ARM is getting from the AF of the USA, assessing the bilateral cooperation between the two armies as exceptionally productive and comprehensive, built on a sincere and long-standing partnership. CGS of ARM emphasized that the USA represent a strategic partner of the Republic of Macedonia, and expressed the expectations for continuation of the support of the USA for a full membership of Macedonia in NATO, pointing out the fact that ARM has reached the required standards of the Alliance, which is confirmed by the long-time participation in the peace keeping operations led by NATO, the EU and the UN.
General Selva stressed that the USA support the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to constructing military capacities and capabilities in accordance with NATO standards and thus the establishment and professional development of the officers core of ARM and the training, exercises and the process of modernization will be assisted by various funds and programs.
Both generals expressed contentment due to the development of the partnership program for collaboration of ARM with the National Guard of Vermont, that in the past 20 years yielded noticeable results in meeting NATO standards and in the joint deployment of the forces on a mission.
CGS of ARM also presented the priorities in the development of ARM and the experiences gained by participating in international peacekeeping missions to the hosts.
