Skopje, 18 August 2023 (MIA) — The Army made great contributions and helped during the natural disasters that affected our neighboring countries: the earthquake in Turkey, floods in Slovenia, and stood in support of the Ukrainian people. The highest honor army members can have are not orders and medals, but the trust Macedonian citizens have in them. The army is a guardian that holds the Macedonian society together, was highlighted at Friday’s celebration in honor of Army Day, August 18.

President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Stevo Pendarovski, at the ceremony held at the Army Stadium in the City Park in Skopje, said that Macedonian citizens are safer today thanks to NATO's safety shield, with the Army being the most important part of that shield.

He reCalled that from the very beginning North Macedonia contributed towards the mutual efforts to help Ukraine in their fights against the Russian invasion.

"We are," the President said, "among the five member-states of the Alliance in terms of the ration between the GDP, military and material technical assistance we provided to Ukraine during the crisis. Therefore, we must continue to invest in our defense and safety."

According to Pendarovski, the goal is to have an army which will not only structurally improve, but will also be modernized with modern military equipment for the defense of the homeland.

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski emphasized that investing in defense means investing in the safety of citizens and the nation.

In 2023, Kovachevski pointed out, the defense budget was 1.85 percent from the GDP and 24 percent larger compared to 2022.

"The strong connection and mutual trust and respect the citizens have for the army is our encouragement, but it is also a task that we as a Government have for the future, for the army to have all that they need to continue their development. Integration into European structures is at the top of our priorities. But first we have to accomplish one more strategic goal, which is EU membership," Kovachevski said.

Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska wished for this day to mark the glory of the first Partisan battalion Mirche Acev, established on this day 80 years ago on the slopes of Slavej Mountain. A symbol and declaration of Macedonian statehood which was later affirmed by the first session of ASNOM.

"Membership in NATO is probably the greatest recognition that we can give to the 200 soldiers who formed the Mirche Acev battalion, and also to all heroes who laid down their lives in defense of freedom during the Second World War in the battle against fascism, along with many partisans from all over Europe and allied armies. We have shown that we are worthy as a nation, as a country, and as an army, to walk shoulder to shoulder with the strongest political union of today. We have shown that we see their values as ours and that we are worthy successors of their sacrifice and ideals for which they fought, such as solidarity and freedom," Petrovska noted.

She stressed that in a time of global crisis we stood shoulder to shoulder with all nations that needed help, such as Turkey, Slovenia and Ukraine.

"Even though we are a small county, we have big hearts, and we demonstrated that by helping our friendly nations, Turkey and Slovenia, deal with the consequences from the natural disasters. We stood in support of the Ukrainian people. We helped Ukraine not because we had to, but because it was the only way to be on the right side of history," Petrovska added.

During the ceremony, Pendarovski awarded 13 Army members with Medal for participation in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations outside the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, and 60 army members who participated in dealing with the consequences of the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey were awarded a Medal for bravery.

President Pendarovski also presented promotion decrees to the rank of general, while Minister Petrovska presented advanced elders who were promoted to lieutenants. ssh/mr