Skopje, 14 July 2023 (MIA) – The constitutional amendments are a matter of a statesmanlike decision that needs to be made through a broad consensus of all political stakeholders, said Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska in an interview for MRT on Friday.

“When we hold political posts, the political careers are less important, it is the future of our country that is important. If we say we are concerned about the emigration of youth and the economic situation in the country, or we talk about the fight against corruption, there is nothing better than focusing all our resources on these real issues we face. Our accession to the European Union is precisely that – a solution to all problems that emerge in all countries, and North Macedonia is no exception,” said Petrovska, adding that the constitutional amendments should be approached seriously, with a statesmanlike approach.

In terms of NATO and defense spending of 2 percent of GDP, Petrovska said that North Macedonia is a credible ally, and that the country is making well-founded investment plants that are being fully realized. 

“In NATO as a collective system of security, we have a task and an obligation to develop our systems as well, and that calls for additional defense investments. This year we’ve allocated 1.85 percent of GDP, and it is certain that based on the medium term budget plan, we will reach that percent next year. But what is really important is how we spend those funds. In the case of defense, our budget has an excellent distribution of funds. For this year, 33 percent of the total budget have been allocated for modernization and equipping of the Macedonian Army,” said the Minister.

Petrovska added that defense planning is long-term planning, which is why strategic documents need to be drafted first. The procurement of sophisticated equipment, stressed Petrovska, is a multiannual process, and we have to plan to realize them until the end.

In the context of transparency, considering that the Ministry of Defense, with 100 percent fulfillment of the criteria is ranked at the top of the list of active transparency for the third year running, the Defense Minister said that high standards have been established, and noted it is also a way to fight disinformation, which are a part of the hybrid threats.

“We’ve reached high standards in terms of transparent work at the Ministry. When you lead a Ministry like this it is very easy to say that things are classified, but, I, as the minister, and the employees especially in the public relations sector, we are really trying to be fully transparent and answer all questions that we are asked, because at a time of various hybrid actions and disinformation, the best defense is transparency and accountability,” underlined Petrovska.

Photo: Ministry of Defense