• Monday, 04 November 2024

DM Petrovska: Donation still being negotiated with Ukraine 

DM Petrovska: Donation still being negotiated with Ukraine 
Skopje, 31 October 2022 (MIA) - The Army's General Staff, being the expert body, is preparing an analysis regarding the fourth set of donation for Ukraine, Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said Monday, adding she will support the decision it will make. "The donation case is still being negotiated with Ukraine and there is also a classified list to which our country should respond," she told TV Telma's Top Tema political show. Once it is estimated that all security risks from announcing details are lifted, the Minister said, all three decisions will be declassified revealing the exact type and quantities to the public. Asked about the previous three donations, including the donated tanks, Petrovska said the tanks were no longer usable as the country is in the process of procuring modern armored vehicles. "As part of the army modernization process, North Macedonia has been supported by the US with $78 million. The funds will be also used to develop the cyber defense capacities," stated the Minister. According to her, this year's defense budget is 1.77% of the GDP (EUR 220 million) with some 30 percent singled out for modernization and equipment. The first batch of JLTV armored vehicles has arrived, procurement of Stryker vehicles is under way and a contract for the procurement of a French air defense missile system has been also signed, Petrovska said.