Skopje, 3 October 2022 (MIA) – The statement of the Army Chief of Staff on reinstating the compulsory military service is an attempt to open a debate, says President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Stevo Pendarovski. “I am a democrat. I cannot replace anyone over an opinion, let alone the Chief of Staff. He has been excellent at his job,’ President Pendarovski told Telma TV. He adds that six NATO member-states have a compulsory military service, with debates on the issue opening in a few more. “It is no sin talking about this. I believe the debate was solved a long time ago in the favor of professional armies instead of armies of conscripts,” says Pendarovski. On the constitutional revision, the President reiterates that he disagrees with the issue’s prioritization. “I do not think the issue should the top political priority. We have others things to resolve at this time,” notes Pendarovski. Regarding the state of education, he says not much has changed over the past decade. “There are probably many reasons. I am no expert in education, although I have been a practitioner in the sector. Things that put education on entirely new foundations should have been done,” says Pendarovski. According to him, all faculties and universities that have opened over the past ten years should have undergone a revision of issued diplomas, especially M.A. and PhD degrees.