Today (30 June), Deputy Minister of Defence Admir Shabani spoke at the ceremony in front of the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF) Command, organized on the occasion of the handover of the chairmanship with the BMTF Steering Board, the handover of the BMTF Commander position, as well as the handover of the position of BMTF "framework nation". With this ceremony, the country takes over the BMTF command and the "framework nation" position, while Slovenia takes over the chairmanship of the Steering Board. The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski.
In his address, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the Balkan Medical Task Force is proof that if an idea is based on trust, partnership, and shared responsibility, it can grow into a successful and recognizable model of regional cooperation.
"At a time when security risks are becoming increasingly complex, and natural disasters, health crises and humanitarian challenges do not recognize national borders, no country can build all the necessary capacities on its own. That is why the Balkan Medical Task Force is an example of how, by pooling knowledge, resources and capabilities, we can build a system that is stronger than the sum of its individual parts," Shabani said.
He added that the fact that our country is hosting the Standing Organization represents recognition and proof of our role as a trusted partner, as a country that believes in dialogue, cooperation and joint solutions, and he also referred to taking over the position of BMTF Commander, as an act of particular importance for the Macedonian Army.
"This is not just an honor. This is a great responsibility. A responsibility to continue to develop multinational medical capabilities, to provide quality training, modern equipment, interoperability and high readiness of the unit for all missions and tasks that may arise in the future. I am convinced that our professionals will justify the trust placed in them and will contribute to further strengthening of the Balkan Medical Task Force as a respectable regional capacity, fully aligned with the standards of NATO, the European Union and the United Nations," the Deputy Minister said.
The current and newly appointed BMTF Commander, Colonel Veljko Milić and Colonel Dragančo Vojneski, respectfully, also spoke at the ceremony.
Colonel Milić said that today the BMTF is an international organization with diplomatic status, whose "central operational capacity is the Polish ROLE 2B Medical Treatment Facility, composed of up to 100 members, highly qualified and dedicated medical professionals from the six participating countries."
Colonel Vojneski, in turn, pointed to the reputation, achievements and strategic importance that this organization has built over the past decade. He added that the experience so far shows that the challenges we face today can only be overcome through unity, coordination and shared commitment.
The ceremony attendants were also addressed by the Ambassador of Norway, Kristin Melsom, who said that the country should actively support the development of the BMTF capacities and interoperability.
Today, two significant anniversaries were also marked - 15 years since the launch of the initiative to form the BMTF and 10 years since the establishment and opening of the BMTF Standing Organization based in Skopje, and plaques were awarded to the individuals who have contributed to the development of this initiative over the years.
