Today, the 27th of Decemeber 2014, there was a ceremonial send-off of the ARM contingent to the mission “Decisive Support” in Kabul, Afghanistan. At the airport “Alexander the Great” in Skopje, there were many people including the Minister of Defence, Zoran Jolevski, Chief of GS of ARM Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski, and JOC Commander Major General Metodija Velichkovski.
Minister Jolevski said that Macedonia had always been highly commended for the participation in peacekeeping missions, therefore, a high ranking officer of the Army of Republic of Macedonia was appointed to be second-in-command of the Kabul Command. “This fact demonstrates that the Macedonian Army is capable and highly appreciated which supports the arguments that Republic of Macedonia should be a NATO member”.
Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Republic of Macedonia Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski wished the peacekeepers successful mission and good health reminding them that ARM personnel are always here to help them and their families should the need arises.
Captain Marijan Guguljanov said that the peacekeepers from the ARM were fully ready to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as they had done it many times before.
Republic of Macedonia will take part in this mission with 38 personnel of ARM. There were 20 personnel of ARM that left today who are part of the Mission Command Security, a task performed by ARM personnel, too, but within the ISAF mission in Kabul. 13 Staff officers have left recently including the second-in-command of the Kabul Command.
