Skopje, 18 August 2023 (MIA) – We need serious reforms, and negotiations for membership with the European Union can help us mobilize all resources and make politicians feel more responsible for their work. A critical prerequisite is to overcome political differences and unite around starting negotiations with EU, which are going to help us implement crucial reforms for the benefit of all citizens. Let's also look up to the Army, let us close ranks and dedicate ourselves to the greater interest of the current and future generations, President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Stevo Pendarovski said Friday at the ceremony marking Army Day.

According to President Pendarovski, Macedonian citizens are safer today thanks to NATO's safety shield.

He recalled that from the very beginning North Macedonia contributed toward the efforts to help Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion.

"We are," the President said, "among the five member-states of the Alliance in terms of the ratio between the GDP, military and material technical assistance that we provided to Ukraine during the crisis. Therefore, we must continue to invest in our defense and safety."

"The goal is to have an army which will not only be structurally better, but will also be modernized with modern military equipment for the defense of the homeland."

During the ceremony, Pendarovski awarded 13 army members with medals for participation in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations outside the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, and 60 army members with medals of courage for taking partin search and rescue efforts after the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey. ssh/mr