Skopje, 3 March 2026 (MIA) - Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski has welcomed at the Skopje Airport NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is paying an official visit to the country on Tuesday.

"I am honored to welcome NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In times of major security challenges, it is of particular importance that we jointly contribute to security, peace and stability," Misajlovski said in a Facebook post.

Secretary General Rutte will be hosted by President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova at a ceremony with highest state and military honors, followed by a tête-à-tête meeting and a plenary meeting of the Macedonian and NATO delegations. Siljanovska Davkova and Rutte will also hold a joint press conference.

He is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, as well as address lawmakers.

In addition, Rutte will attend a demonstration exercise by the Army in the Ilinden army barracks.

Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, Army generals and representatives from the Ministry of Defence will also attend the event. 

This is Rutte’s first visit to Skopje since becoming NATO Secretary General. He previously visited the country in 2021 as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

In 2023, the country was visited by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Photo: Misajlovski Facebook