Skopje, 14 November 2025 (MIA) — The country's chief of defense Major General Sashko Lafchiski, who is on a three-day working visit to Romania and Bulgaria, visited Friday the Macedonian troops deployed to the NATO Forward Land Forces, the Army's General Staff said in a press release. 

According to the release, Maj. Gen. Lafchiski, in Romania at the invitation of Romania's chief of defense General Gheorghiță Vlad, attended Thursday the Distinguished Visitors Day event of the Dacian Fall 2025 multinational exercise at the Cincu Training Range.

Dacian Fall 2025, taking place between Oct. 20 and Nov. 13, involved some 5,000 soldiers from 10 NATO member states and confirmed the readiness, cooperation and unity of the alliance, the release said.

Lafchiski also met with the commander of the Multinational Corps Southeast, Lieutenant General Cristian-Daniel Dan and the commander of the Multinational Division Southeast, Major General Dorin Toma. They both highlighted the high professionalism and valuable contribution of the Macedonian troops to the NATO Forward Land Forces.

During his visit to Bulgaria, the army delegation led by Lafchiski met with the commander of the Bulgarian Joint Force Command, Major General Stanimir Hristov, the commander of the Pinerolo Brigade, Brigadier General Paolo Dalle Vedove and the commander of the Multinational Battle Group in Bulgaria, Colonel Mattia Scirocco.

"The meetings confirmed the full interoperability of the Macedonian contingent with the other forces from the NATO armies," the release said, adding that Lafchiski also visited the army members deployed to the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Novo Selo and commended their commitment to their responsibilities.

"The army's contribution to NATO activities in Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria began at the end of 2022 with the deployment of two of its formations to these countries, where, together with members of the allied armed forces, they have been an integral part of the collective deterrence and defense system," the release said. mr/