Skopje, 23 May 2025 (MIA) - Support from the EU, as well as from our allies, stems from our sincere commitment, readiness, and professionalism in maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region and beyond. The EU has recognized our efforts to strengthen security, including our contribution to peacekeeping operations, and has responded positively to the request to enhance the Macedonian Army with equipment assistance worth €40 million, Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski said Friday, who along with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, visited the headquarters of the Balkan Medical Task Force.

Misajlovski expressed gratitude to Kallas and the European Union for their support in building the country’s defence capabilities.

“This equipment is intended for engineering needs, the Military Medical Center, the light infantry battalion group, logistics, technologies related to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communication and information systems, command and control systems, and protective gear. The assistance also covers personnel training where needed,” Misajlovski explained, adding that the delivery of this equipment is proceeding according to the planned schedule.

According to him, the support we receive, as well as the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership with the EU, clearly shows that the European Union values the partnership and the alignment of our country with the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.

“Today we are here at the headquarters of the Balkan Medical Task Force, an international organization that includes regional medical forces capable of rapid response to a broad range of situations. This organization makes a significant contribution to strengthening regional cooperation and promotes good neighbourly relations. This regional capacity has been recognized as a strategic regional tool, and on this basis, the EU decided to support the development and improvement of the military medical forces of all member countries by procuring new modern equipment worth €6 million, of which €2 million were allocated to our country,” Misajlovski said.

As a country that sees itself as part of the great European family and a NATO member, cooperation in defence is a priority, he said.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, after visiting the headquarters of the Balkan Medical Task Force, stated that this is a strong example of regional cooperation that delivers results.

"The EU supports this initiative both politically and financially because it accurately reflects what we stand for in the Western Balkans: trust, partnership, and achieving tangible results for the people. This initiative is even more important as it involves saving lives. We also support North Macedonia through bilateral military assistance," Kallas said.

She informed that the EU has allocated €38 million for the Army of North Macedonia, including the latest tranche of €15 million approved in April.

"North Macedonia is a trusted partner, fully aligned with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, contributing to EU operations, especially the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we highly value that," Kallas noted.

Photo: Ministry of Defence

Video: MIA