Skopje, 17 December 2021 (MIA) – Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska said Friday she won’t be part of the new government. Shekerinska mentioned that eight months ago she stepped down from the post of SDSM Vice – President because she disagreed with some of the policies which, according to her, had contributed to the defeat at the local elections, and she doesn’t expect things to change. “Unfortunately, my impression is that we haven’t learned the lessons and we haven’t heard or understood some of the messages of the public. Therefore, I believe that the only honest and principled decision for me is not to participate in the next government,” Shekerinska pointed out. She stressed that in the past four and a half years, just like her colleagues she has served the country, and has justified the trust citizens had given her, with the NATO membership and the fastest military integration by any candidate country of the Alliance. She particularly noted as important to her the completely changed situation in the country’s Army. “It was the result of hard and honest, principled and diligent work. That’s how work should be done and that’s when results happen. However, if we’re not principled towards ourselves, we can neither be principled towards the citizens,” said Shekerinska. As regards the relations between Russia and Ukraine and the possibility of escalation, Shekerinska said that our country, as well as other members of the Alliance, supported the NATO communique, which expresses serious concern over escalation of the situation, particularly with the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.