Brussels, 15 February 2024 (MIA) – There is no increased security threat in the country to reinstate mandatory military service, which would require significant additional financial resources, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said in an interview with MIA following today's meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels.

“When discussing the possibility of reinstating military service, we need to be aware of the consequences or challenges that the country may face. First and foremost, we do not have an increased security threat to justify the return of military service. However, not only in terms of the threat, this would also entail investing significant additional financial resources and, more importantly, it would mean that all those who reach the age of 18, if recruited, will not be able to actively participate in the labour market during that period, nor continue their educational process in a timely manner,” Petrovska stated.

According to her, in today's time when young people are eager either to learn more or to earn, the termination or postponement of this right will be more detrimental not only to them but also to the state.

"The concept of voluntary military service was abandoned around 2005-2006, and personally, if I were to question myself as a citizen, however, as the Minister of Defence, I would say that it is one of the better decisions made in the development of the Macedonian Army," Petrovska said, adding that thanks to this decision, we have a professional army, and its professionalism maintains the quality of the Army.

She emphasized that the capacity building of the Macedonian Army is happening continuously, and the results we see through their participation in exercises, as well as in international missions, are commendable.

"I think we should maintain that course," Petrovska stressed.

Petrovska, in a video interview with MIA set to be released on Friday, also discusses the outcomes of the NATO ministerial meeting, security risks, hybrid threats, opportunities for the development of the defence industry in the country, and expectations for the upcoming elections.