Today at the Ministry of Defence, Minister Vlado Misajlovski met with a delegation from the European Union led by Kosmin Dobran, Director of the Directorate for Peace, Partnership and Crisis Management at the European External Action Service (EEAS), where the mutual commitment to strengthening defence cooperation was confirmed.
The meeting, which was initiated by the European External Action Service, is part of the established EU-MKD Dialogue in the field of defence and security, and confirms and strengthens EU's clear readiness to deepen cooperation with our country in the field of security and defence.
On this occasion, Minister Misajlovski said that today's meeting just before May 9 - Europe Day gives additional symbolism and a positive dimension to the Dialogue and to the shared commitment to European values. "The Macedonian Government has a clear and unambiguous goal - strengthening our cooperation in the field of security and defence, as well as jointly addressing contemporary challenges", emphasized Misajlovski.
"Our goal is to continue to strengthen cooperation towards a more specific and operational phase, through new projects and programs. The Ministry of Defence remains fully committed to the partnership with the EU. As a NATO member and an EU membership candidate country, our ambition is to be even more actively involved in the European defence initiatives", said the Minister.
Misajlovski expressed gratitude for the three support packages through the European Peace Fund, as well as other financial mechanisms that provide additional support in strengthening the Macedonian army's capacities.
Director of the Directorate for Peace, Partnership and Crisis Management at the European External Action Service, Dobran, at today's meeting, underlined that the EU is ready to increase cooperation in this domain and added that military mobility is of particular importance for greater efficiency and increased resilience. On this occasion, he informed that the EU, in the area of defence and security, is considering the possibilities for new support in equipment for the Army in the coming period.
The European Union, through its initiatives and mechanisms, has so far made decisions on several packages of measures to support the Army in the amount of 40 million euros.
Today's meeting was also attended by Emanuele Giaufret, Deputy Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans, Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean and the United Kingdom at the EEAS, and EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas.
