Brussels, 5 June 2025 (MIA) - One of the key points at Thursday’s meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels was how member states can increase their defense spending. It is crucial for each country to have a long-term plan in this regard, Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski said in a statement for MIA.

The Defense Minister said the meeting focused on how the member states can reach the spending threshold of 3.5 percent of GDP on defense in the next 10 years, as well as the need for every country to invest in infrastructure.

“Many countries have already started planning how to reach these percentages. We will also work on this, improving all our documents alongside all institutions so that, over time, the state budget gradually increases, which is very important for ensuring a larger budget for the Defense Ministry,” Misajlovski said.

Regarding the proposal by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to gradually increase defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2032, Misajlovski said discussions were held about an estimated timeframe for achieving this goal. However, he noted that the most important aspect is for each country to reach this target as quickly as possible.

“There are some countries who are already spending more than 3.5 percent, there are countries that are even reaching five percent, but what is important to note is that many countries haven’t even reached 2 percent. The developed countries are trying to reach 3.5, but this is proving to be really difficult since they are large economies,” Misajlovski said.

The Defense Minister said the country should focus on boosting its economy, because, he said, the bigger the country’s GDP is, the more funds it will be able to allocate to the Defense Ministry, thereby improving the overall defense of the country.

"That is why it is crucial that the percentages allocated to the Defense Ministry’s budget are primarily invested in the modernization of the Army. This is essential for us as a smaller NATO member state because, above all, we need to focus on improving our Army, modernizing it, and ensuring that the Ministry's budget continues to grow in the coming years," Misajlovski underlined, while noting that the Government is currently allocating substantial funds to the Defense Ministry, allowing the country to maintain defense spending above two percent of GDP. 

Misajlovski also emphasized the need to boost investments in the defense industry, adding that this is a very important segment that the country should focus on developing.

“There are many companies, recently I have met with dozens of them, which are interested in investing in various sectors related to defense and security. These are serious companies willing to invest significant funds. This will stimulate the economy while also contributing to meeting this percentage [of defense spending] and the development of other sectors,” Misajlovski said.

The meeting also addressed the possibilities for each NATO country to assist Ukraine, as well as expectations for achieving peace in the country.

"The key discussion was about how to establish a ceasefire that would last long enough to enable a peace agreement – one that would endure for years, and not just a short-term solution," Misajlovski clarified.

He noted that the country has helped Ukraine significantly in the past and will continue to provide as much support as possible but stressed the importance of ensuring that the country benefits from that process as well.

"We cannot provide equipment indefinitely. We also need to modernize and acquire new equipment, and this is the most important thing. The most important thing is that I am here to represent the country of Macedonia, and my priority is fighting to ensure Macedonia has better resources and, of course, a stronger Army," Misajlovski told MIA.

Photo: MIA