Skopje, 27 October 2022 (MIA) – The foreign policy of North Macedonia is entirely in line with the foreign and security policy of the European Union, which is a crucial instrument of unification and an instrument for intense political dialogue with the Union, said Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska at Thursday’s meeting with representatives of the EU Delegation and the European External Action Service (EEAS), led by Deputy Head of the Delegation Julian Vassallo and Head of an EEAS Division, Rory Domm. According to the Defense Ministry, Petrovska stated that the strong cooperation between NATO and the EU concerning the Russian aggression in Ukraine is proof of the cohesion and the commitment to the protection of the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area and the rules-based international order. Petrovska touched upon North Macedonia’s contribution to regional stability through participation in the Union’s missions and operations, as well as the Army's 2023 participation in the EU Battlegroup HELBROC, led by Greece. “North Macedonia plays a key role in strengthening peace and stability through the participation in the EU’s missions and operations, as evidenced by the participation of 33 army members in the EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina EUFOR-ALTHEA, as well as the participation of army officers in the Union’s training mission in the Central African Republic,” said Petrovska. The Minister said that North Macedonia’s NATO membership is complementary with the country’s intense cooperation with the EU and the country’s strategic goal – an efficient accession process and full-fledged EU membership as soon as possible. Further strengthening of cooperation and the possibility of developing the capacities of the Army with the support of the EEAS were also discussed at the meeting. ad/ik/