Skopje, 12 February 2026 (MIA) — Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski addressed Thursday's North Atlantic Council gathering of defense ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

According to the Ministry of Defense in a press release, Misajlovski spoke about the government's and the army's goals, priorities and activities under the agreements made at the last NATO summit in The Hague. 

He also highlighted the importance of the alliance's staying united in strengthening defence and deterrence.

"Even in times of global geopolitical changes, if we continue focusing on what has motivated us to strive so energetically for NATO membership for decades — the need for peace, security and stability as a prerequisite for prosperity — our alliance can withstand any challenge that comes our way," Misajlovski said.

He said the state continued to increase the defense budget and remained committed to modernizing the Macedonian Army.

Over 32.5% of the Macedonian defense budget was earmarked for army modernization, he said, far above the NATO requirement of 20% of the defense budget for modernization.

Misajlovski said investments were also being made in human capacities and "proof of this is the fact that the members of the Light Infantry Battalion Group are very well prepared for their NATO assessment coming up in April this year."

He said Macedonian troops would continue to actively participate in missions and operations led by NATO and the EU, both within the eastern wing of the alliance and within KFOR and ALTHEA, to contribute to regional peace, stability, security and prosperity.

In addition, Misajlovski strongly welcomed the US peace efforts to establish peace in Ukraine and on the European continent.

After the meeting, the defense minister left for Munich to join the Macedonian delegation led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski at the Munich Security Conference held on Feb. 13-15. mr/