Shtip, 17 August 2026 (MIA) -- The Army's 2nd Infantry Battalion marked Monday its 34th anniversary at Shtip's Jane Sandanski barracks, with attendees including senior military officials and local mayors, MIA's Shtip correspondent reports.

In his address at the event, 2nd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Risto Stoev said the holiday honors military tradition, sacrifice and the courage of past generations tasked with protecting the homeland; and celebrates the professionalism and dedication of today's army members.

"It is a source of pride to be a member of an army rooted deeply in the history of the Macedonian people," Stoev said. 

"That tradition rises from our centuries-old struggle and pursuit of freedom and independence, in which Macedonian warriors, insurgents and fighters forged the path to freedom with courage and sacrifice," he said. 

The commander said Macedonian troops were strongly linked to "our greats from the pre-Ilinden and Ilinden periods who lit the torch of liberty as well as the National Liberation War fighters who laid the foundations of our modern Macedonian state through the decisions of ASNOM."

Stoev then reviewed the army's development over the past 34 years. After the country gained its independence on Sept. 8, 1991, and the former Yugoslav People's Army withdrew from its territory, the state peacefully began building the institutions of the independent nation, he noted.

"The adoption of the Law on Defense on Feb. 14, 1992, defined the defense system, and the army became one of the main pillars of Macedonian statehood and a guarantor of its sovereignty," he said. 

He said the armed forces were formed under uncertain security conditions with limited resources, with the army taking full control of territorial defense on March 27, 1992. Starting as a conscript force, it has since transformed into a modern, fully professional army trained in line with contemporary military standards.

Stoev added that by joining the Parntership for Peace initiative in November 1995, the army began participating in exercises as a partner of the NATO alliance. In 1996, an army unit participated in "Peace Eagle '96," which was its first multinational military exercise outside the country. Numerous international drills followed, culminating in "Immediate Response 25" at the Krivolak army range, which involved more than 2,200 troops from seven NATO member states and two partner nations.

"This was followed by the 'Flash 26' exercise, a continuation of the 'Macedonian Flash' series, during which the Light Infantry Battalion Group was evaluated as a NATO-declared unit in accordance with Allied land command standards," Stoev said, stressing that the 2nd Infantry Batallion was particularly proud of this achievement as its members made up the core of the battalion group.

"On March 27, 2020, the Republic of North Macedonia became NATO's 30th member, confirming its strategic commitment to collective security, stability and peace," Stoev said, adding that membership has integrated the army into the collective security system, bringing new responsibilities that demand a high level of professionalism and interoperability as well as opening new development opportunities.

He also said senior NATO officials' visits to the country highlighted the importance of its contribution.

"The significance of our membership and our army's contribution to collective security was reaffirmed by recent visits from top NATO representatives," Stoev said, recalling recent visits by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. 

Stoev said army members have represented the country in international missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, the Central African Republic, Kosovo, Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria. Also, he said, troops helped in managing the consequences of natural disasters, helped extinguish fires in more than 30 locations across the country and contributed to supporting institutions following the tragic fire in Kochani.

According to Stoev, the army has continuously evolved, modernized and adapted to the security environment and contemporary challenges since its founding.

"Changes in the conduct of military operations, the development of new technologies, information operations, cyberspace, unmanned systems, electronic warfare and the need for rapid decision-making require us to learn, adapt and improve continuously," he said, adding that "trained, motivated and professional personnel" are the army's greatest strength.

"Let's keep building the army's capabilities, protecting its reputation and justifying the trust placed in us by our country's citizens," he said.

To mark Army Day, the Army rewarded several officers and professional soldiers for their accomplishments.

August 18 was chosen as Army Day to commemorate the Aug. 18, 1943, formation of the Mirche Acev Battalion on Mount Slavej. It is considered the first organized military formation in Macedonia in WWII.

The formation of the country's modern army began in 1992, when then-President Kiro Gligorov and the leadership of the Yugoslav People's Army signed an agreement on the relocation of federal troops from the territory of the Republic of Macedonia.

The army is now part of the NATO collective security system, after the Republic of North Macedonia became the alliance's 30th member in March 2020. mr/