The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich held meetings at the Ministry of Defense and the Army General Staff with the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski today.
During his meeting with General Grynkewich, Minister Misajlovski expressed satisfaction with the excellent cooperation with NATO’s Allied Command Operations, emphasizing that members of the Macedonian Army will continue to make a direct contribution to the security of the Alliance’s eastern flank as part of NATO multinational forces in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The Minister also highlighted ongoing investments in defense and the continued development of the Army.
“We are strengthening the Army’s capacities and, consequently, the Alliance’s collective security. We are investing in the modernization and equipment process, which, together with our investment in the professional development of Army personnel, recently enabled the Light Infantry Battalion Group to receive the highest NATO evaluation “mission ready”, the Minister said during the meeting. He added that the country remains a credible and reliable Ally within NATO.
During the meeting with Major General Lafchiski, discussions focused on the current security situation within the Alliance’s area of operations, the Army’s modernization and equipment programs, as well as the country’s ongoing contributions of personnel and assets in support of NATO’s Regional Defense Plans, of which North Macedonia is an important part. It was reaffirmed that the country’s territory, situated at the crossroads of several major transport corridors, plays a key role in ensuring the Alliance’s military mobility, rapid and credible response, resilience, and strategic depth.
As part of his visit to the country, General Grynkewich also met with the Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, and is scheduled to meet with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.
General Grynkewich’s visit to the Army will continue tomorrow when, together with the Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, he will visit Army personnel at the “Ilinden” barracks in Skopje, where a demonstration of the capabilities, training, and readiness of Army units will be presented.
The Supreme Allied Commander Europe has overall command of all NATO operations at the strategic level. General Grynkewich performs his duties from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. He also serves as Commander of the United States European Command (USEUCOM), headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
General Grynkewich’s visit represents recognition of North Macedonia’s significant contribution to the Alliance’s collective defense and reaffirms NATO’s confidence in the capabilities and readiness of the Macedonian Army to contribute to regional and collective security.
