Skopje, 20 February 2023 (MIA) – Thank you for the sacrifice and for proving that you are always ready to serve your people and to help a friend in need. Thank you for rescuing young Suleyman and giving him the chance to grow up into a successful young man, said Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska on Monday during the ceremony to welcome back army members from the rescue operation in Turkiye.

The Minister decided to send the best trained soldiers on this difficult task alongside with the President and the Chief of the General Staff.

“When we and the world faced the consequences of what happened in Turkiye, we had no doubt that we had to answer the call for aid and support, because the Republic of Turkiye is our friend with which we have cooperated in the past and a country that has always supported us. Our prayers are with the people of Turkiye and we will continue to help,” Petrovska said, adding that the troops will get a bonus payment amounting to one average pay.

President Stevo Pendarovski said that the Army was among the first five to arrive at the scene, 24 hours after the earthquake.

“Your engagement was one of the most professional achievements a Supreme Commander, a Chief of GS, and a Minister can expect. One can only wish for your relentless efforts any time you train, practice, any time you prepare for any kind of situation. Our thoughts go out to those who lost their loved ones,” Pendarovski said in his address.

Hasan Mehmet Sekizkök, Turkish Ambassador to North Macedonia, thanked everyone for their help and noted that the country mobilized all of its capacities to send help to the affected regions.

“Two weeks ago, Turkiye experienced the worst natural disaster in recent history. North Macedonia pledged to stand by Turkiye ever since the news broke. The search and rescue teams were immediately sent to the affected regions,” the Ambassador said. dk/ik/