Skopje, 8 November 2023 (MIA) – Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska met with NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina, who is visiting North Macedonia on Wednesday.

They discussed North Macedonia's role as a committed and proactive ally in ensuring NATO's collective security and regional stability.

Minister Petrovska underscored North Macedonia's commitment to fulfilling NATO capability package obligations, focusing on army modernization and human capacity advancement, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

“Investment in North Macedonia's defence sector in 2024 is set to reach 2 percent of the gross domestic product, with one-third of the allocated defense funds earmarked for modernization. This guarantees that the Army's equipment enhancement process will persist at an undiminished pace. We are committed to modernization as a responsible NATO member, but equally for national security,” Petrovska said.

She informed Colomina about the assistance that North Macedonia has donated to Ukraine on ten occasions thus far and emphasized that, in accordance with the General Staff's assessments, this support will continue in the future.

In regard to regional security, Minister Petrovska noted that North Macedonia is increasing its participation in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. She underscored that the dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina should continue, and both sides should fulfil their commitments.

“The integration of countries in the region into the EU is a security issue and the most effective response to attempts of third-party influence in the region,” Petrovska stated.

In dealing with the issue of hybrid threats and fake news, Petrovska highlighted the Ministry of Defence’s 100% active transparency as the best approach for preventing and addressing this challenge.

NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General Colomina extended his appreciation for North Macedonia's active engagement in NATO and its visible contribution to enhancing regional and collective security.

He commended North Macedonia for its contributions to NATO's multinational forces in Bulgaria and Romania, its active participation in NATO's mission in Kosovo, support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, and its ongoing commitment to defence development and modernization.

Photo: Ministry of Defence