Shtip, 18 August 2025 (MIA) – A central ceremony celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Macedonian Army will be held Monday at the Shtip-based barracks. More than three decades of dedication, sacrifice, knowledge, courage, and determination in service to the homeland will be marked with a special program and the presence of high-ranking state and military officials.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, and Chief of the General Staff Major General Sashko Lafchiski are to deliver addresses.

During the ceremony, the 26 newly commissioned lieutenant colonels and 149 non-commissioned officers will be formally promoted. President Siljanovska-Davkova will decorate the Cadet and Officer Training Center, which is part of Training and Doctrine Command with the “Order of Military Merit,” the General Staff of the Army said in a press release.

Attendees at the ceremony are expected to include Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, ministers, MPs, former defence ministers and general staff chiefs, retired generals, high-ranking officials from state institutions, the military-diplomatic corps in North Macedonia, and other guests.

Celebrations for August 18, the Day of the Macedonian Army, began on Friday (August 15) at the Ministry of Defence and General Staff. Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski and General Staff Chief Major General Sashko Lafchiski spoke to employees, emphasizing their commitment and professionalism.

Attending the ceremonial gathering of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff staff were Deputy Chief of the General Staff Major General Azim Nuredin, State Secretary Elizabeta Chupovska Ristova, Director of the General Staff, Brigadier General Orce Jordev, employees, and other distinguished guests.

On the occasion of the Day of the Army, August 18, an Army's artillery battalion unit fired an honorary gun salute by firing ten rounds from artillery guns on Sunday at 7 pm in Skopje-based Ilinden barracks.

On 18 August 1943, the Mirce Acev battalion was founded on Mount Slavej in country’s south-west Macedonia, considered the first organized military formation in Macedonia in WWII.

Today, Macedonian Army together with the armies of 29 other countries is an integral part of the largest collective security system after North Macedonia has officially become NATO’s 30th member in March 2020.

Photo: MIA archive, Ministry of Defence