On the 20th and 21st of June 2019, there was a handover ceremony between the ninth and the tenth rotation of Macedonian contingent of peace keeping mission “Resolute Support” in Afghanistan. The handover ceremony was held at the Train Advise and Assist Command (TAAC)-Capital at the international airport Hamid Karzai and at the “Resolute Support” mission Headquarters in Kabul.
Beside Macedonian contingent servicemen, there were other people at the handover ceremony including TAAC-Capital Commander, the Turkish Brigadier General Yasar Dilber, commanders and officers in command of the units of TAAC Capital, service personnel from the American, Turkish and other contingents who participate in the military exercise “Resolute Support 19”. There were a few addresses by commanders including Brigadier General Yasar Dilber, Senior National Representative of the ninth Macedonian contingent Colonel Ljupcho Jovanovski, and Senior National Representative of the tenth Macedonian contingent Colonel Gjorgji Mitrinovski.
Colonel Jovanovski thanked Macedonian service personnel of the ninth contingent for their dedicated and excellent contribution in conducting their mission. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the Turkish contingent for their selfless support on the mission.
“To each and every serviceman of Macedonian contingent, I commend you on your dedication and effort you put in conducting this mission. With your ultimate professionalism in doing your duties, once again you have confirmed that we are true representatives of our country and the Army”.
Colonel Gjorgji Mitrinovski said that the Republic of North Macedonia has contributed to peacekeeping missions since 2002, starting with ISAF mission and then continued in the mission “Resolute Support”. He expressed his belief that our country will become the 30th NATO member country during this rotation of Macedonian contingent. He said: “At this official NATO handover ceremony between the ninth and the tenth rotation of Macedonian contingent, I would like to point out that the Republic of North Macedonia will continue successfully to contribute to the security and stability of Afghanistan together with our NATO friends”. Addressing both Macedonian rotations Colonel Mitrinovski said: “Our predecessors set high performance standards. It is a big challenge we are facing. I am convinced that the commanders of the tenth rotation will continue their work with the same dedication and responsibility while doing their job, effectively, successfully, just as our predecessors did”.
Brigadier General Yasar Dilber presented all staff commanders of the ninth rotation with Certificates of Appreciation.
The Regional Support Group commander, the US Colonel Maria Juarez also addressed the service personnel at the duty handover ceremony of the Headquarters Security Forces of the peace keeping mission “Resolute Support” in Kabul. Colonel Juarez praised the service personnel of Macedonian contingent for their dedication and professionalism in conducting the mission and their selfless efforts in doing their job.
All service personnel of the ninth rotation of Macedonian contingent received Certificates of Contribution to the mission “Resolute Support”. In addition, Colonel Juarez presented the unit’s commander Captain Martin Spasovski with a plaque for successful conducting of the tasks and his unit’s contribution to the mission “Resolute Support”.
