Skopje, 17 November 2021 (MIA) – Major General Bajram Begaj, Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, visited the General Staff of the Army of North Macedonia and the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday. After being greeted with military honors, General Begaj met with his host, Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, and Minister of Defence Radmila Shekerinska, the Ministry said in a press release The importance of defence cooperation between the two countries as neighbors and NATO allies was highlighted at the meeting with Minister Shekerinska, as well as the joint efforts for peace, stability, and prosperity of the region. Minister Shekerinska said that the recent visit by Minister of Defence Peleshi opened up a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, as well as opportunities for cooperation in crisis management and training. Begaj congratulated the quick and successful military integration of North Macedonia into NATO, expressing hopes that membership in the Alliance will result in intensified bilateral cooperation in defense. Gjurchinovski and Begaj discussed cooperation in the area of defence between North Macedonia and Albania. The bilateral inter-army cooperation continues to be at a high level, and it contributes to the safety and stability of the region and beyond, said the press release. Gjurchinovski got Begaj acquainted with the current transformative processes in the Army, as well as further activities after the full military integration of North Macedonia in NATO which was completed on Tuesday by signing a joint integration declaration. The interlocutors also discussed opportunities to improve future cooperation as NATO allies, especially in the process of military education, as well as cooperation on an operative field through joint drills. The Albanian Armed Forces delegation was introduced to the mission and tasks, the process of transformation of the Army of North Macedonia, participation in peace operations, capacities of the Krivolak army training ground, as well as the opportunities for drills between both armies. General Begaj, after congratulating North Macedonia’s successful military integration into NATO, said that they will always insist on finding new opportunities of improving the mutual military cooperation as a neighboring country and NATO ally. Major General Begaj also met with President Stevo Pendarovski. dk/ba/