Skopje, 2 May 2023 (MIA) — Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska discussed the country's security, the political and military support for Ukraine's defense, hybrid threats and cyber attacks as well as the the modernization of the Army with the state university's Philosophy students and faculty as part of the Ministry of Defense-organized series of academic talks marking the anniversary of North Macedonia's membership in NATO.

Minister Petrovska said the country's NATO membership was a success story because it offered not only a security umbrella but also economic security.

"The number of companies that view North Macedonia as a safer country, as a better country for investments, has absolutely risen since we became a member of the Alliance," Petrovska said.

She also spoke about the country's strategic goals of NATO and EU membership, pointing out that signing of the Prespa Agreement in 2018, although a difficult decision, proved to be the right one.

On the war in Ukraine, Minister Petrovska explained why the country had donated military equipment and aid to Ukraine. "Because Ukraine is a sovereign state and Ukraine has the right to defend itself," she said.

"Let's not forget – Ukraine did not start the war in Ukraine. Russia did, with its unjustified aggression. We all have a basic duty to be on the side of international law. That is the real reason why we, and most of the countries in the world, unanimously decided to help Ukraine, not to wage war, but to defend its own territory," Petrovska said.

The defense minister also noted the need of defense capacity-building against modern dangers including hybrid threats.

"Each country is faced with this serious challenge," Petrovska said. "The more a technology develops the faster and more we have to invest in our own capacities for responding to those threats."

She stressed that the state was working on strengthening institutional defense capacities against cyber attacks.

Minister Petrovska also answered students' questions about defense, the state's long-term plan for security development as well as the investments the Ministry of Defense had been making in recent years to modernize the Army. mr/