Shtip, 1 January 2025 (MIA) - I have said on numerous occasions that peace and our security largely depend on our armed forces. It is nice to know that you head a small but respected and compatible army, said President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova while visiting troops in the Shtip-based army barracks on New Year's Day.

President Siljanovska Davkova said she witnessed impressive, state-of-the-art military equipment during her tour of the barracks.

"This is logical when referring to a NATO army. I have always thought the two-percent threshold is a large amount allocated for this purpose and I wish these weapons are never used. I wish to see a world in 2025 when peace is the main option. The weapons are not the most important aspect, the people here are," said Siljanovska Davkova.

She added that 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, an organization based on a peace concept.

"However, we are facing wars today. The European Union also came about as a peace concept and what worries me is to see European countries Ukraine and Russia at war. Therefore, I hope that 2025 will be a year when UN is the place where problems are resolved," said Siljanovska Davkova.

President Siljanovska Davkova and Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Sashko Lafchiski, attended a presentation of the preparedness of the Second Infantry Battalion and had a New Year's lunch with troops.

Photo: MIA