Skopje, 26 October 2022 (MIA) - Sir Stuart Peach, the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, will visit North Macedonia on October 26-27, as part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to stability and prosperity in the region. During his visit, Sir Stuart will have the opportunity to meet with President Stevo Pendarovski, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani, Minister of Defence Slavjanka Petrovska and leader of VMRO DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski, the British Embassy said in a press release. The aim of the visit is to discuss further development of the strong UK-North Macedonia bilateral relationship, reiterate UK’s strong commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of North Macedonia and reaffirm UK’s commitment to strengthen stability, democracy, rule of law, and to tackle crime and corruption in the country and the Western Balkans region. Sir Stuart Peach has long experience in the region, as former UK Chief of the Defence Staff and Chairman of NATO’s military committee and also serving as Air Commander in headquarters for the Kosovo Force (KFOR) (NATO) in Kosovo. He was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans in December 2021, visited North Macedonia in January 2022 and took part in the Prespa Forum Dialogue in Ohrid in June 2022. During his visit together with Minister of Defence Slavjanka Petrovska, Sir Stuart will also visit the Krivolak military training area to hand over a UK donation of urban training buildings. This NATO compliant facility will allow the Army of Republic of North Macedonia and NATO partners to develop their procedures for operating in congested, contemporary urban environments. The UK remains a close partner to North Macedonia in building its NATO capabilities and help the country and Western Balkans defend and advance the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, reads the press release.