Skopje, 9 June 2022 (MIA) – Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski, accompanied by Lubomír Pšenka, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Czech Embassy, attended a promotion of tactical vehicles at the “Gjorche Petrov” police center on Thursday. The vehicles were obtained via donations by the Czech Ministry of Interior and the Czech Government. The Ministry of Interior said eight specialized tactical vehicles have been obtained for the needs of the organizational units within the Special Police Operations Department, valued at around MKD 14,240,000 (EUR 231,062), and six tactical vans for public safety for the needs of the Rapid Deployment Unit and two vehicles for the needs of the “Tiger” Special Anti Terrorist Unit. “This donation by the Czech Republic is a continuation of the process we started in 2018, and we have procured 31 new vehicles for the ministry’s needs so far, based on the principle of using a financial donation to buy and maintain technical gear in accordance with previously agreed upon specs. That fact alone, expanded with a series of other partner activities, in which we absolutely must mention the joint security activities with our colleagues from the Czech MoI at our southern border, once again demonstrates this wide range of bilateral cooperation in multiple security segments of mutual interest,” said Minister Spasovski. He also expressed his gratitude for the continuous support that the Czech Republic has shown to MoI, establishing itself as one of the most significant supporters and partners of North Macedonia, especially on its way to full-fledged EU membership. “That’s why I’d like to once again thank our Czech friends on my behalf and on the behalf of the Ministry of Interior for their selfless support and aid, with deep conviction that we will keep working together on improving and deepening our friendship and cooperation, primarily in the interest of national security of both countries, and in a wider context of the security in Southeast Europe,” Minister Spasovski emphasized. Lubomír Pšenka welcomed the handover of tactical vehicles and expressed his pleasure with the cooperation between the representatives of both ministries of interior, especially Minister Spasovski and Public Security Bureau director Sasho Tasevski. “I am immensely grateful for the successful implementation of all activities to keep the southern border safe, where Czech and Macedonian police officers can work together and exchange experiences. Our support of the Ministry of Interior will continue forward in order for the mutual cooperation to expand and deepen,” Pšenka said. dk/ik/