The Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, and the Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska together with the Governor of the Federal State of Vermont, Phil Scott, and the Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight, participated in the solemn celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the partnership between the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia and the National Guard of Vermont that took place in Burlington.
In his address on the occasion of the anniversary, General Gjurchinovski said that the past 3 decades were marked by excellent cooperation, mutual understanding, and exchange of ideas and experience. He emphasized that with the Vermont National Guard which is more than a partner, through mutual cooperation and training, the most appropriate ways of dealing with and deterring all modern security threats are found.
Minister Petrovska emphasized that in the past three decades, we are reminded of countless individuals who dedicated themselves to this cooperation with their expertise. “I admire the visionaries, the determination, and strong belief in this partnership, which is only getting stronger,” said the Minister. She also said that in addition to building their own capacities, improving procedures, and modernizing the Army, the most important thing in this partnership is building a very strong relationship.
The Commander of the Vermont National Guard, General Knight, also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing that the most important part of the partnership is friendship and that he looks forward to the next 30 years in which this partnership will reach its full potential.
During his working stay in the USA, according to the agenda, General Gjurchinovski will visit the Pentagon, as well as Detroit, where the headquarters of the companies making the armoured vehicles “Stryker” and “JLTV” are. According to the long-term defense capabilities development plan the Macedonian Army is being equipped with these vehicles.
