Minister Vlado Misajlovski and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, visited the Balkan Medical Task Force today (23 May) where they inspected the equipment which was provided by the European Union in support of the development of this regional organization.
Minister Misajlovski emphasized that the support from the European Union, but also from allies in building Macedonian defense capacities is due to the sincere dedication, preparedness and professionalism in preserving peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.
“The European Union recognized our sincere commitment to strengthening security, including our contribution to peacekeeping missions and operations, and responded positively to the requests to strengthen the Macedonian Army with equipment assistance in the amount of 40 million euros,” the Minister said.
He added that the European assistance refers to “equipment for the needs of the engineering forces, the Military Medical Center,the Light Infantry Battalion Group, logistics, technologies related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communication and information systems, command and control systems, protective equipment” and pointed out that this assistance also includes personnel training.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kallas, said that the Balkan Medical Task Force is a strong example of regional cooperation that produces results.
“The European Union supports this initiative both politically and financially, because it accurately reflects what we stand for in the Western Balkans: trust, partnership and achieving visible results for the people. This initiative is even more important because it is about saving lives,” Kallas said.
Kallas pointed out that North Macedonia is a reliable partner, fully aligned with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, contributing to EU operations, especially EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stressed that clarity and consistency in our country’s geostrategic orientation “are the key that could unlock deeper defense cooperation with the EU.”
The Balkan Medical Task Force is an international organization based in Skopje, established to provide a rapid and coordinated response to disasters caused by natural disasters or human factors. The member countries of the BMTF are North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro.
