Skopje, 18 February 2026 (MIA) - Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski attended Wednesday a handover ceremony for equipment procured for the Interior Ministry’s Explosives Disposal Unit in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy and the Antiterrorism Assistance program (ATA).

According to the Interior Ministry, the equipment is highly sophisticated and worth around EUR 1 million. It includes robots for handling improvised devices, unexploded mines and other explosive ordnance; bomb disposal suits; telescopic manipulator arms, explosive detectors, fiber-optic cameras, X-ray machines for detecting explosives, a specialized vehicle for transporting the equipment, as well as training for members of the Explosives Disposal Unit through the ATA program 

“Today we are demonstrating that our strategic partnership with the U.S. is at an excellent level. I would like to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia. Their personal commitment creates added value to our efforts to secure this important equipment donated by the U.S.,” Toshkovski stressed, adding that the equipment will ensure the lives of the citizens and MoI professionals are protected.

The U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Nicole Varnes, said the donation demonstrates a joint commitment to strengthening the ministry’s capacities tasked with responding to these threats and protecting the community and the lives of the citizens. 

“The joint commitment of the Ministry and the Embassy is crucial to the success of our two countries, and I look forward to future cooperation. Members of the Explosives Disposal Unit face extraordinary risks in their work. They move toward danger so that the rest of us can remain safe. They deserve the highest-quality tools and equipment to carry out their duties safely and effectively. This vehicle and equipment will enhance their capacity to detect, assess, and neutralize explosive threats with greater speed, precision, and coordination. Today’s support highlights our shared interest in security and stability. When the capacities of the Republic of North Macedonia are strengthened, when threats are identified and addressed swiftly and appropriately, the benefits extend to both nations. Strong bilateral partnerships like ours are essential to ensuring security and confronting challenges before they escalate. That is what trusted partners do,” Varnes said.

Photo: MoI