Misajlovski opened the regular bilateral defence consultations with the US - our strategic partnership strengthens Macedonian defence and collective security in NATO

Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski today (23 April) opened the regular Macedonian-US bilateral defence consultations, where he discussed regional security, the development of the Army through the modernization and equipment process, defence investments, and new opportunities for developing the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries with Deputy Assistant Secretary of War David Baker and the US team.

"Our bilateral defence relations over the past three decades have been at a very high level and I thank you for the excellent cooperation. The dedicated support of the United States of America, as well as the embassy in our country, have contributed to building the capacities and capabilities of the Macedonian Army," said the minister at the start of the bilateral defence consultations.

Misajlovski emphasized that several contracts with the United States for the procurement of various types of equipment that are in line with NATO's Capability Goals are currently in the implementation phase.

The Minister also addressed investments in the defence, noting that the defence budget is growing and that the state has a plan to reach the jointly agreed level of investing 3.5 percent of GDP in the defence budget and 1.5 percent of GDP in defence-related activities and projects by 2035. He underlined that the process of amending strategic documents and plans had begun, which is crucial for the future development of defence capacities that would enable the strengthening of combat readiness as a guarantee of the country's security and the strength of the Alliance's collective defence.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Baker indicated that the United States recognizes the Government's commitment to meeting NATO 3.0 goals, including the commitments from the Hague Summit, regional security, and defence cooperation. He added that those discussions were an opportunity to initiate new directions in the partnership that would contribute to a timely response to challenges.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, ​​Nicole Varnes, said that today's talks would contribute to identifying new concrete opportunities for cooperation and further developing interoperability.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, also addressed the bilateral consultations, saying that all current and future cooperation gives us the opportunity to fulfil our goals and objectives, as well as to develop the combat readiness of the Army.

The bilateral defence consultations come just two weeks after the strategic dialogue between the two countries held in Washington, the USA, where the mutual commitment to the development of close strategic relations in all spheres was confirmed.