Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski

DISTINGUISHED MINISTER OF DEFENCE, DISTINGUISHED GENERALS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL FORCES BATTALION, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE DAY OF THE UNIT AND THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY.

YOU ARE THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL UNIT IN THE BALKANS, AS WELL AS IN THE RECENT MACEDONIAN HISTORY, CREATED ON THIS DAY, THREE DECADES AGO.

THE GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS SINCE THE FORMATION UNTIL THIS DAY HAVE BEEN FULLY COMPLETED, WHICH MAKES ME ESPECIALLY PROUD, ALSO AS A MEMBER OF THE UNIT SINCE ITS BEGINNING. THIS UNIT WAS CREATED IN AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED PERIOD OF TIME, WHEN WARS WERE RAGING IN THE REGION, AND WHEN SOME OF OUR NEIGHBOURS WERE CHALLENGING OUR INDEPENDENCE AND THE UNIQUINESS OF THE MACEDONIAN PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE. WE ARE STILL HERE, 30 YEARS LATER, AS AN ARMY FORMATION AND FORCE OF THE COUNTRY, SYMBOLICALLY, THE 30TH NATO MEMBER.

I EXPRESS MY ACKNOLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION TO ALL CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS FOR THEIR SERVICE IN THE UNIT, ALL OF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE US FEEL PROUD OF YOUR ACHIEVEMNTS.

WE ARE HERE TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE AN EVENT WHICH ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF A MODERN, EFFICIENT, MOBILE AND INTEROPERABLE ARMY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATO STANDARDS, AN ARMY WHICH EXISTS TODAY AND WE ARE PROUD OF IT.

THROUGH THE YEARS, FOLLOWING THE TRANSORMATION PROCESSES, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CURRENT SPECIAL FORCES BATTALION HAS CHANGED ITS FORMATION NAME FROM SPECIAL FORCES DETACHEMENT, SPECIAL FORCES BATTALION, INDEPENDENT OR AS PART OF HIGHER FORMATIONS, BUT IT WILL ALWAYS BE WRITTEN IN GOLD LETTERS AS THE BEST THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS.

YOU, THE CURRENT AND ALL PREVIOUS MEMBERS OF THE UNIT, YOU ARE THE ONES WHO WITH ENTHUSIASM, MOTIVATION AND STRONG WILL TO BE THE BEST AND IMPECCABLE, HAVE CREATED THE PROFILE AND IMAGE OF THE MODERN MACEDONIAN WARRIOR – THE MACEDONIAN “WOLVES” WHO ARE RECOGNIZED EVERYWHERE BY THE LOGO “SEMPER ETIAM UBIQUE SUPERIORES”.

THE SPECIAL FORCES BATTALION, WITH ITS INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN THE CREATION OF THE MODERN TRAINING SYSTEM AND WITH THE CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT OF ITS CAPACITIES IN THE FIRGHT AGAINST THE MODERN SECURITY CHALLENGES, IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY THE ARMY IS RECOGNIZED AS PROFESSIONAL, TRAINED AND DEDICATED IN BUILDING THE RATING AMONG THE NATO ALLIES.

YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND DEEDS ARE NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMAIN HIGHLY VALUED IN THE DEFENCE SYSTEM THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN YOU.

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BATTALION! BE PROUD OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTINUE WITH SUCCESS AND FAITH

THANK YOU!

Honorable Prime Minister,

Honorable Vice President of the Assembly,

Honorable Minister of Defense,

Distinguished members of the Government,

Representatives of the Military Diplomatic Corps,

Generals, Ladies and Gentlemen

 

Three years have passed since our full membership in NATO. A significant historical event that will remain recorded and will testify to the successes of the country and the Army. This achievement not only crowned our long-term aspiration, but is also an important step in strengthening peace and stability in the country and the region.

For us, Army members, to achieve this strategic goal was a challenge tackled since the beginning of the initial cycle of membership preparations, and particularly after the candidate status for NATO membership was granted in 1999.

We started achieving this goal at an increased pace, through the implementation of the most comprehensive and fundamental reforms in the field of defense, which were followed by several phases of transformation.

With our approach and fulfillment of all tasks in the military sector, we proved to be a reliable and responsible partner, who met training and interoperability standards much earlier than full membership, which is being confirmed in the past three years.

The successful paving of the access road is a result of work invested by our members from all generations who devotedly, following the Alliance’s recommendations, applied the experiences gained and lessons learned from international operations and military exercises to reach the required NATO standards.

We managed to achieve the fastest military integration in NATO, a goal reached in 19 months since full membership, with continuous determination, three decades of hard work and dedication.

The success that the Army has achieved throughout this period is reflected in what we have now, mobile, professional and efficient forces, capable of protecting the security of our country and responding to all modern threats and challenges

I would like to send a message today, that as Armed Force, together with the Allies, will continue the military assistance with all resources to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people’ right to self-defense, established in the UN Charter, to put an end to this unprovoked military aggression.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that in accordance with NATO’s deterrence and defense concept, we joined NATO’s eastern flank combat forces, contributing with our trained formations in Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia.

Distinguished members of the Army!

Be proud of the achievements. Our mission is clear and precisely defined. We have a debt to our predecessors, but also an obligation to the future generations, to exceed the high level of trust we have in the society, determinately and with commitment.

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who supports us and assure you that we will continue to fully justify the trust, because we exists and work for the interests of our homeland and people.

Distinguished attendees!

Congratulations on the three-year anniversary of our full membership in NATO.

Thank you!

Respected President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of North Macedonia,
Respected Prime Minister,
Respected Vice President of the Assembly,
Respected Minister of Defense,
Respected ministers, generals, ambassadors, fellow citizens,

Thank you for your presence at today’s ceremony, on the occasion of the Army Day and also the 30th anniversary since the establishment of our Army.

Respected attendees,

It is an honor to be a part of this significant event when we mark 30 years since the formation of the Army, which is an inseparable part of our society.

The formation of the Army began three decades ago by taking over the state border, with modest materiel resources, armaments and equipment. Those were difficult beginnings that we overcame with dedication of the army members and the first conscripts, setting one of the main pillars of state independence.

Many generations of Defense Ministry and Army employees, soldiers, officers and civilians, but also employees from the public sector have actively invested in the three-decade development of the Army, which is respected by the citizens and a NATO member.

Some of them are with us today in the formation, some among the guests, but unfortunately some are no longer among us.

To all those who have left their mark in the development of the Army, on this occasion, with due respect, I express immense gratitude and highest recognition for their service and personal contribution.

Dear friends,

With our achievements and efficiency, we have fulfilled the endeavor and oaths of our heroes from Ilinden and ASNOM, being proud bearers of the traditions.

We dedicate the celebration of this significant jubilee, in the barracks that bears the holy name “Ilinden”, to the ideals and sacrifices of all our heroes and great men for the centuries-old struggle for freedom and peace.

It is our obligation to continue along the path set by our heroes: Jane Sandanski, Pitu Guli, Goce Delchev, Vangel Dinu, Strasho Pindzur, Chede Filipovski – Dame, Liman Kaba, Kuzman Josifovski – Pitu, Ibe Palikukja, Mihailo Apostolski, and many others.

On this solemn jubilee, I state that the Army has always worked and will work only for the interests of the citizens and our homeland.

We will continue unwaveringly and with full commitment to fulfill our constitutional competence, with intensive implementation of trainings in the country and abroad, as well as to represent the country with dignity in peace support operations.

Our priorities will be the fulfillment of obligations as a member of NATO and the set capability goals, but at the same time we are always ready to provide support to citizens and institutions.

Only in this way will we make our contribution to the future of the homeland, especially today when we are faced with security threats and challenges happening on the European territory.

Dear guests, soldiers and officers,

At this solemn event, we would like to recall the visionary speech of our first president and Commander-in-chief, the respected Kiro Gligorov, who on this day, thirty years ago, and from this place, among other things, emphasized,

“The kind of Macedonia we will build is the kind we will have, and you, the members of the Army, have a historical role in the creation, at that time, of the Republic of Macedonia.”

He also spoke about the model of society, the prosperity and the future of the country, tolerance, dialogue, togetherness, solidarity, constant promotion and respect for equality on all grounds: ethnic, gender and religious, but also about the constitutionally guaranteed rights and obligations of everyone in our independent and sovereign country.

Today, after 30 years, I can proudly point out that the vision of our first president and the role of the Army in society has been fully realized.

We have created a professional, efficient, multi-ethnic army, respected at home and abroad, continuously and highly trusted by the society.

Dear members of the Army,

I expect you to continue representing the military profession, the Army and our country with dedication, responsibility, dignity and pride.

I am sending this message to you, be proud of yourself and continue fulfilling your work assignments to the best of your ability!

LONG LIVE THE ARMY DAY, August 18, the day when Mirche Acev battalion was formed in the People’s Liberation Front!

Thank you!

Distinguished members of the Operations Command,

Congratulations on the Day of the Operations Command!

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honor to address to you on this day, the Day of the Operations Command, in the year when the state achieved a strategic goal, an aspiration that we have been working tirelessly on since the first year of independence.

Distinguished members of the Command,

Recalling an important event in our history, we are proud to say that the Operations Command successfully addresses the challenges of the modern collective defence system and is the bearer of the traditions of the Kresna Uprising that you nurture and upgrade as a constant obligation.

In addition to the challenges we still face, the current situation on the southern border and the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are successfully implementing the process of transformation of the Army and integration into the Alliance.

Your commands and units successfully carry out all the assigned tasks with a high degree of professionalism, for which I am especially proud as one of your former members.

I expect you to complete the tasks ahead, with continuous work commitment, motivation, honesty, teamwork, loyalty and efficiency.

Together we will realize the national interests and we will fulfill what is expected of us.

Long live the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia!

Thank you.

Respected,
President and supreme commander of the security forces of the Republic of North Macedonia,
Respected president of the government, ministry of defense, ambassadors, generals, representatives of the diplomatic core, dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honor to have you here, on the occasion of the Day of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Today we are celebrating the 28th birthday of the Army and a first year as a NATO member, the fact that makes us especially proud.

On behalf of the members of the Army and myself, I’m using this opportunity to thank all officers, current and previous ones and civilians in the service of the Army for their contribution of army development and integration into the NATO.

Every generation of army officers have its own contribution to the process and have its own script on it. We all must be proud of our achievement despite all challenges from the past, to become a part of the most power military ally in the history of the mankind. It’s our common success.

From now on, we have responsibilities and patriotic duty to use our knowledge, leadership skills and experience in the process of integrating within the NATO system. NATO membership has been defined as a privilege and benefit of the democratic societies, but here credibility and respect comes with a link of respect of the democratic values, loyalty and national responsibilities conveyance.

 

Respected associates and partners,

We are gathered here on this occasion and on behalf of all Army members to state our gratitude to all of you. Numerous ways of support was provided in the process of education and training by our strategic partners: USA, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia as well as the rest of the partners and neighboring countries.
My deepest respect to everything what you have done so far and you are still doing.

 

Dear guests,

Ever since the beginning, the Army members have been working on peace interests and good relations with the neighbors which produces bigger trust among the countries in the region.

Starting from this month, Republic of North Macedonia has been assigned as a host country for the SEEBRIG command – we are honored and privileged (SEEBRIG initiative was born in Skopje in 1998).

I wish a worm welcome to the SEEBRIG commanders, here and today with us. Being a host nation is another promotion of the country and the Army itself as a factor of a good neighbor and builder of the regional security and stability.

Dear privates, officers and civilians in the army service,

Two years ago, on this occasion as I was promoted to a new chief of the general staff, I gave a promise, a serious one, that we will work hard and with sacrifice in order to improve the living standard and working condition, which basically leads to an improved army image.

I can proudly recognize our achievement today but still we have a lot to do in the future. Improved working condition keep us focused on everyday assignments while serving the people and the country.
Concerning the level of trust among the institution in our society, the Army comes on the top, which makes me especially proud. That is a recognition given by the citizens of this country and it goes with our commitment, professionalism, work ethic and morale. It is our duty to continue on that direction.

 

Respected Army members,

These days we are opposing an invisible enemy that keeps us all engaged in the support of the national security system. We (The Army) always have been and always will be whenever is necessary to counter the pandemic. As a matter of fact, our assignment is to guarantee the peace and security as well as public health trough the support of other institutions in the society.

We are not sure how long this pandemic is going to take. Hoping that soon or a latter is all going to end; we are continuing to face it with all challenges. Republic of North Macedonia is a democratic society with clear and precise obligations and duties to the security system. Being supported by the citizens and the state authorities, we are boosting our strength where, combined with a knowledge and experience, I can promise the Macedonian people a perfect partner and ally that will never let anyone down.

Taking this far, the pandemic crises already affected some projects and plans. As army personnel we have to have an understanding for the economic consequences and how that would reflect the army development and modernization. I do believe in stabilization of the resources and founds so we could continue in accordance with the plans with less revisions.

As a chief of defense, my priorities are directed towards security and health state for the people in the army and for the whole citizenship concerning its welfare. Also the transformation process and a new army structure have been among the highest priorities as a necessity for the establishment of both NATO and national obligations.

In the end, let me quote one of the biggest friends of ours, the former Chief of Joint Staff and the former Secretary of Defense in the USA, General Collin Powel:
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure”

We are going forward more motivated, more active and creative in establishing our goals.

 

Long live the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia.

 

Thank you all.

Dear Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense SHEKERINSKA,

Distinguished Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Lieutenant General Steven SHEPRO,

Dear Generals, Admirals, Officers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear guests

At the beginning, I would like to wish you all a warm welcome and to thank you for your presence on this joined visit, which is very important for us. In the following two days we will present to you a part of the activities that the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ministry of Defense undertake in order to fulfill the conditions for NATO membership.

This visit of the military representatives of the NATO Military Committee is a first such visit of the Republic of Macedonia from its independence. It represents another important sign of how significant our country is for the peace and stability in the region and beyond, and at the same time it is a confirmation that the road we are taking is the right one.

The Army of the Republic of Macedonia is firmly committed to fulfilling the criteria for NATO membership and we are working tirelessly to bring the country towards full-fledged membership in the Alliance.

For years, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia has stood side by side with the armies of the NATO member states in a number of peace support operations around the world. Starting this year, our army has increased its participation in operations beyond our borders by 20%.

Our goal is to continue to increase this number in the future. So far, around 4,000 members of the Army have been part of the international peace support operations. The contribution to international operations remains our highest priority.

At the same time, I would like to emphasize that members of our Army are continuously participating in numerous exercises, trainings and exchange of experiences together with the armies of the Alliance member states. All these activities contribute for our army to achieve and maintain NATO standards.

Respected,

We actively continue to work on reforms within the Army, which would ensure even greater professionalism and readiness among our ranks.

Additionally, I would like to mention once again that the new Strategic Defense Review has already been adopted and with its implementation the Army of the Republic of Macedonia will be transformed into a small, compact, flexible army that can respond to all challenges the Alliance will be facing, together with us.

The partnership and co-operation are a permanent process that needs to be constantly built and maintained. After all, the path to success is not easy, just like our profession, but the experience from the past, the firm commitment and endurance make us even stronger.

In the forthcoming period, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is ready to start with the priorities of the capacity development goals and to fulfill all the tasks that will arise before us in a determined manner. With the full support and synchronized action with the Ministry of Defense, we will implement the modernization and optimization of the army resources for achieving full interoperability. Through the continuous budget improvement and the consolidated plan for equipping, we will enable the Army of the Republic of Macedonia to have modern assets and equipment needed for the declared units, as well as modern communication systems that will improve security in the cyberspace.

We worked hard, contributed to building world peace and fighting against terrorism, our commitment and determination is a full-fledged membership in the NATO Alliance and good relations with your valued countries. I believe that this is the path to success.

Thank you for your attention.

Respected media representatives,

For the first time since our independence and the long-standing way to reach our declared goal, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Macedonia are hosting the highest military advisory and oldest permanent body in NATO – the NATO Military Committee. It is an indicator of the open and honest approach of the NATO Alliance, as well as the readiness and support of all member countries for our strategic commitment to full integration into the most powerful military alliance of today, as their full- fledged member.

Dear Deputy Chairman of the NATO MC, General Steven

Today, we had the opportunity to present the achieved level of reforms in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. The completion of the reforms will ensure even greater professionalism and readiness among our ranks, while with the full implementation of the Strategic Defense Review we will be transformed into a small, compact, flexible army that can respond to all challenges faced.

Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to see the professionalism and skills demonstrated by the members of the army during the visit to “Ilinden” barracks. Their effort and enthusiasm to utilize the learned lessons will show you that the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is ready to be part of NATO. Their long-standing participation in NATO-led missions and lessons learned from the participation in numerous international exercises are proof that officers, NCOs and professional soldiers of the army are fully interoperable with their counterparts from the Alliance countries and, by their joining, NATO will get another loyal and reliable ally.

We are continuously working on the fulfillment and maintenance of the already achieved standards and criteria for NATO membership, and with the support of the member countries of the Alliance, I am convinced that very soon we will be part of the NATO family.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the military representatives of the NATO Military Committee for the visit, the expressed sincere and continuous support for joining NATO, which enables our country to share responsibilities and obligations with new security challenges, and thus greater security as a whole.

Thank you!

Dear Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mrs Radmila Shekerinska
Distinguished Joint Operations Command representatives
Dear guests and Media representatives
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honor and pleasure to address this solemn gathering on the occasion of the Joint Operations Command Day, the command and the military personnel representing the driving force of the army of the Republic of Macedonia.

The Joint Operations Command in its present existence has made a valuable contribution to building a modern training system and the development of its subordinate units, thus leaving a special mark in the overall defense processes.

The established high training standards, and the numerous recognitions for the achieved success on exercises and missions, as well as the engagements in dealing with unforeseen natural disasters, fully justify the trust not only of the military and state leadership, but also primarily of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Distinguished members of the Joint Operations Command! With your achievements and successes, you enrich the history of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. I feel personal satisfaction for all the successes of the Joint Operations Command, as a former member and commander.

Our past experiences and results worthy of respect are evidence that we are fully interoperable and capable of carrying out complex tasks, equally with the members of the armies part of the alliance.

At today’s glorious moment, I would like to stress that being in the final phase, we should all give our best to contribute with motivation, results, creativity and sacrifice the integration in the NATO alliance to become a reality.

Members of the Joint Operations Command I expect you to give your maximum in doing your everyday work, doing it with motivation, honesty, teamwork and loyalty by fulfilling your numerous responsibilities, to use this chance together.

Last but not least, let us not forget the memory of this significant date from the Macedonian history, to which you are proud bearers of the traditions. A date when in 1878 when the ‘Macedonian uprising’ was raised with the aspiration to achieve what we have today, and which as our obligation should be nurtured and developed further.

Respected!

Let us together continue with a hard and laborious work that requires great dedication, sacrifice and repentance to complete the set national interests and to fulfill what is expected from us.

Long live the Army of the Republic of Macedonia!

Long live the Republic of Macedonia!

Respected, Mr. President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia, Vice Presidents of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Minister of Defence, Members of the Parliament and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Generals, ARM soldiers, NCOs, officers and civilians, Ministry of Defence employees, guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am deeply honored to address you today, on the Day of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, as the newly appointed eleventh Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of Macedonia.

Firstly, I would like to thank the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the President of the Republic of Macedonia for trusting and honoring me in appointing me to lead the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

Distinguished audience, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia deeply trust our Army. It is not a random thing. It is based on army’s continuous dedicated work, order and discipline. Macedonian citizens know that the Army is an organized and disciplined structure who have always been with the people, and acted accordingly especially in the complex historical times of our fatherland.

As the Chief of the General Staff I assure the state leadership, you, who are present here and all Army servicemen that I will use all my knowledge, experience and professionalism in reaching the highest level of combat readiness of the Macedonian Army in order to face all challenges, so that Macedonian citizens feel calm and safe.

Soldiers, NCOs, officers and civilians in the Army, you know that I have shared my happy, and sad moments of the officer’s profession with you. Actually, I have always thought of you as my family. I have never forgotten you and I have never let you down regarding your expectations and needs. I assure you, I plan to continue that. All of you are someone’s sons, daughters, fathers and mothers who do their noble duty to defend their country and serve the people. We all do quite serious and highly risky jobs, including different kinds of training and combat missions abroad. Therefore, my concern and responsibility for you and overall the Army are the greatest.

I expect and request that you do your designated tasks conscientiously and responsibly. Your safety, your lives and health, but also improvement of the morale and combat readiness will be my priorities and my vision in my efforts and requests. Basic principles in my decision making process will be professionalism, competence, and the outcome of your work. Our state and strategic goals are clearly determined: The Republic of Macedonia, a member of NATO and the European Union.

We, the Army servicemen are proud of having been Macedonian driving force in the NATO integration process for over 20 years. Thus, I would like to stress that NATO standards, which are clearly defined, must be implemented in our Army. I will be highly adamant in implementing them. I believe that only by complete implementation of those determined standards and criteria we will be able to maintain high morale and combat readiness, including being a respectable NATO member.

Army servicemen are honest, ethical, professional and utterly dedicated to the Army and the state; in one word, – patriots, in its literal meaning. Therefore, it is completely understandable that we want and deserve to have sophisticated equipment as our allies and partners, which is necessary to protect people’s lives and health. We are aware of the overall situation and circumstances in our country; however, we are also aware that sometimes the needs are larger than our modest possibilities.

Servicemen of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia,

We have a lot of hard and dedicated work ahead of us, in accordance with the highest NATO standards. By the end of this year we will have begun with implementation of the new formation of the Army, which has come out of the Strategic Defence Review. My vision is crystal clear, right people at the right places, specially trained according to NATO standards and implemented in our Army.

According to these principles, everybody will be posted within the new formation of the Army. The leaders will be experienced, confirmed and proven who will give tactical, operational and strategic management to the Army. Code of conduct, hierarchy and subordination has trained and educated us, the Army servicemen, to understand the circumstances and the possibilities of our country. I assure you now, that it will remain to be that way. We will continue to do our daily jobs with our current resources, believing that there will be upgrading of the pecuniary factor for completing our assignments.

Respected audience, I will finish my speech today with two messages which come out of two quotations by two great leaders, former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and former US President John Kennedy.

In the first message, I, as the Chief of the General Staff, would like to paraphrase Churchill in order to inform and assure our superiors about the following: Provide us with conditions and resources, and we, the Army servicemen know, and are able to complete any assignment.

In the second message, I would like to address the servicemen of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia by quoting an excerpt from Kennedy’s inauguration speech in 1961:

Respected servicemen of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, do not ask what your country the Republic of Macedonia can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country, the Republic of Macedonia.

Long live the Army of the Republic of Macedonia,

Long live the Republic of Macedonia.

Thank you.