Ohrid, 9 March 2024 (MIA) – Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said Saturday that the Defense Ministry does not exclude the possibility of providing treatment to wounded Ukrainian soldiers, in line with the assessments and in cooperation with the Health Ministry.

“Within the Defense Ministry, there are capacities that could be made available. Several institutions would be involved in the initiative, but as a Defense Ministry we are prepared to respond positively to the requests,” said Petrovska.

Commenting on the statement made by French President Emmanuel Macron, Defense Minister Petrovska said North Macedonia supports Ukraine and its fight, but stressed that soldiers would not be sent to Ukraine.

“This hasn’t even been discussed, we didn’t even discuss sending soldiers at the last ministerial meeting in Brussels. However, assistance in other forms will be provided,” said Petrovska.

On Saturday, Petrovska visited the Army’s Water Training Center in Ohrid, where she said works to rehabilitate the anchorage for vessels in front of the Center would continue after positive opinions from all relevant institutions concluding that the environment would not be affected. Previous rehabilitation activities were halted after remarks from an environmental organization. The Minister said the rehabilitation is expected to be finished in 45 days.