Skopje, 10 March 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska and United States Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler visited the Krivolak army field on Friday, where U.S. Black Hawk helicopters conducted military exercises with the support of members of the Army of North Macedonia.

Minister Petrovska expressed her satisfaction with the fact that the Krivolak army field has been used by the armies of North Macedonia’s allied nations and partners recently, showing that all the investments made into the army field were justified.

“Last year, in only six months, 10 multiday exercises were held by allied armies and NATO partners, our Army also holds regular exercises at the field every month. This shows that all the investments made into the Krivolak army field were justified, and this is why I want to express my gratitude to our partners. An alliance means exactly that – caring for and supporting each other,” said Petrovska.

Petrovka expressed gratitude for the U.S. support and underscored that only in 2022 the U.S. provided support of USD 137 million for the modernization and equipping of the Macedonian Army.

Ambassador Aggeler underlined that Krivolak is a world-class army field which offers great conditions for military drills. These types of exercises, she added, demonstrate and affirm the strength of the cooperation and partnership between the U.S. and North Macedonia.

“We are working together every day and developing new methods of cooperation, interoperability and strengthening security. We will continue to aid the development of this army field so that we can hold even more exercises together with our allies,” said Aggeler.

The close air support exercises with aircraft from the U.S. Ground Forces are being held March 5-11.