Skopje, 17 August 2023 (MIA) – Ahead of tomorrow's Day of the Army, defense workers and members of the Army celebrated the 31st anniversary since the establishment of the Macedonian Army at an event Thursday.

In her address at the event, Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska said she is proud of the professionalism, motive and dedication with which the defense reforms have begun and are being realized.

“A minister is as successful as their co-workers, and the facts show that the area of defense is exceptionally successful, and the credit is not mine, nor any individual, but of all of us together, because we are one family, one organism who can function only if we work as one, united in our shared goal,” said the Minister.

Petrovska thanked the Army members for their dedication and professionalism in the execution of their tasks, and addressed the defense workers, saying that their standard and role is a priority as well.

“The system won’t function if we don’t invest and don’t pay attention to the role and standard of defense workers as much as the standard of the members of the Army. We are a single whole, with the defense workers making up an exceptionally important segment,” said the Minister.

Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Vasko Gjurchinovski awarded a recognition to all employees of the General Staff and the Army, and thanked them for their effort, results and work in the past year, which, he said, are noted and recognized in society.

“In the past period we reached truly immense results, we have a clear roadmap, where our priorities should be in the coming period, that is our debt and obligation towards the future generations of our fatherland,” said Gjurchinovski.

Earlier Thursday, a delegation led by Defense Minister Petrovska laid wreaths at a memorial in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives in 2001.

Photo: Ministry of Defense