The Chief of ARM General Staff Lieutenant General Metodija Velichkovski participated at the eleventh Conference of Chiefs of General Staffs of the Balkan countries, today (10.05.2017) in Athens, Greece.
The topics discussed at the conference were related to the geopolitical stability of Southeastern Europe and ways of military cooperation in order to deal with the security challenges in the region and the security threats related to illegal immigration and various forms of international terrorism.
General Velichkovski at the forum had very significant bilateral meetings with the NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples Commander in Napoli, Admiral Michelle Howard. During these meetings the ongoing intensive process of ARM defence preparations for NATO membership was discussed, as well as the improvement of ARM capabilities, its interoperability and contribution to international operations.
He also had meetings with the CHOGS of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina and with other colleagues with whom the possibilities and ways for enhancing the military cooperation in the future were discussed.
The conference of Balkan Countries CoGS, was attended by the Chiefs of General Staffs of nine Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Montenegro) and high military officials of NATO and EU Military Committees, NATO Command in Napoli, and the guests of the conference; the CHOGS of Slovenia and Croatia.
This activity is conducted as a forum and it takes place annually with a host country on a rotation basis. It represents a significant mechanism for cooperation in the area of defense and promotion of regional security, enabling exchange of ideas and creating initiatives and priorities to improve the coordination and find effective and specific ways for cooperation in the future.
The Army of the Republic of Macedonia continues to promote regional military cooperation and discussion, contributing immensely to all regional initiatives and the defence cooperation.
