Skopje, 21 July 2025 (MIA) - Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Sashko Lafchiski, who is paying an official visit to the Turkish Armed Forces, met Monday in Ankara with his counterpart, General Metin Gürak, and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler.

According to the Army of North Macedonia, the visit taking place at the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Metin Gürak, is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two allied and friendly countries in the fields of defence and security.

“During the official meeting between Major General Lafchiski and General Gürak, discussions focused on the current bilateral military cooperation, possibilities for future joint trainings and military exercises with units of the Turkish Armed Forces, with the goal of deepening operational interoperability, exchanging experiences and tactics, and preparing for participation in multinational operations,” reads the press release.

During the meeting with Minister Güler, gratitude was expressed for Turkey's continued support, which, as noted, plays a significant role as a strategic partner in the process of equipping and modernizing the Army.

General Lafchiski also thanked the Republic of Turkey for its selfless assistance, particularly for promptly offering its specialized medical facilities to individuals in urgent need of high-quality medical treatment following the fire in Kochani.

As part of the visit, General Lafchiski laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

The Army delegation visited the Special Forces Command in Gölbaşı and toured military-industrial facilities.

“The visit, held in the spirit of alliance and strategic partnership, aims to deepen security cooperation for regional and global stability,” reads the press release.

Photo: Army’s General Staff