Skopje, 26 July 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska met Wednesday with her Turkish counterpart, the Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler, with whom she spoke about the defense relations between the two countries, security in the Balkans and the strengthening of the Alliance’s collective security.

“The three-decade long defense cooperation between North Macedonia and Turkey has allowed us to have a better-equipped and stronger Army. North Macedonia is certain about the highest standards of the Turkish defense industry, and proof of that is the procurement of new artillery systems from renowned Turkish companies. These systems will strengthen our collective security in the Alliance,” said the Minister at the meeting.

Petrovska touched upon the Turkish assistance in the process of equipping and modernization of the Macedonian Army, which thus far stands at around US$30 million. As a result of the military-financial cooperation with Turkey, various types of vehicles have been acquired, as well as various types of equipment, spare parts and ammunition. 

Minister Güler stated that Turkey highly values the defense cooperation with North Macedonia, and said the country remains committed to supporting the development of the Army of North Macedonia, as an Army of a friendly country and an ally.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the two countries have been cooperating in the field of defense since 1994. Sixty-four army officers have been sent to study at the military academies in Turkey so far. The members of the Army in the “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan were a part of the Turkish contingent, while at the moment, the army members in the EU’s Althea operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina are also a part of the Turkish contingent.