Skopje, 17 November 2022 (MIA) – The security situation in the region and the intensification of bilateral cooperation between North Macedonia and Montenegro, as two NATO partners, were the topics of discussion at Thursday’s meeting of Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska with the Montenegrin Minister of Interior and Acting Minister of Defense, Filip Adžić. “As NATO members, North Macedonia and Montenegro have a responsibility and an obligation to protect peace, security and stability in the region. The best response to the instability caused by the Russian aggression on Ukraine is an even stronger and more comprehensive defense cooperation which would help increase the capacities of both Armies and strengthen interoperability,” said Minister Petrovska at the meeting. According to the Ministry, both ministers pledged to continue cooperation in the field of education and training. While Minister Adžić expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to train members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro at the Krivolak army field. Petrovska and Adžić touched upon dealing with hybrid and cyber threats, especially considering that countries from the region, including NATO member states, are targets of the attacks as well. They both reaffirmed their commitment to the development of bilateral defense cooperation and concluded that both countries, as NATO members, are a pillar of security in the region. North Macedonia and Montenegro have been cooperating in defense since the signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation in 2007. The plan for bilateral cooperation in 2022 envisages 17 joint activities, 11 of which are in North Macedonia and 6 in Montenegro. The plan covers meetings at the highest level, bilateral consultations, expert discussions of defense policy, procurement and modernization, as well as the training of cadets at the Military Academy of North Macedonia. ad/ba/