Skopje, 16 September 2023 (MIA) - Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska paid Friday a visit to the Pentagon and met with Mara Karlin, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, saying that the strong Macedonian-U.S. cooperation enhances security and strengthens NATO's collective defense.

"Alliance in NATO is our greatest value. We are stronger together and this is the only way to defend the values and principles that we believe in as states and societies. I am pleased from our full commitment to defense cooperation. U.S. support to the Army and the Macedonian exercise capacities develops the interoperability and skills of every Army member," said Minister Petrovska.

She thanked the United States for the support in the process of Army modernization, noting that investments in the sector would continue in the future, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

"Thus far, the United States has supported the Macedonian defense sector with US$ 330 million, whereas the domestic defense budget will reach two percent of the GDP in 2024, with a large share projected for modernization and equipment," said Petrovska.

Petrovska said the roadmap for defense cooperation that she signed with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin back in June lays down the path of bilateral defense cooperation, demonstrating that both countries remain committed to enhanced cooperation.

Deputy Under Secretary Karlin said the United States sees North Macedonia as a committed and proven ally, whereas U.S. support in all development process would resume in the future, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Defense