Skopje, 25 December 2023 (MIA) – Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski briefed President of the Republic of North Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Stevo Pendarovski Monday that the combat readiness of the Army is at the required level, ensuring the successful accomplishment of tasks throughout the current year.

As reported by the Army of North Macedonia, today, at the Army House in Skopje, the President was briefed on the state of combat readiness and the implementation of plans and tasks of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia throughout the year 2023. It is added that during the briefing, the state of the Army was presented concerning the functional areas that impact combat readiness.

“Lieutenant General Gjurchinovski said that the combat readiness of the Army is at the required level, ensuring the successful accomplishment of tasks throughout the current year. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the commands and units of the Army executed all planned activities in training according to NATO standards in a timely and professional manner. Moreover, the processes of transformation, modernization, and participation in foreign operations are progressing as scheduled,” reads the press release.

Concerning the tasks completed and achievements of the Army in 2023, the briefing encompassed the status and degree of implementation in areas including personnel management, training and exercises, operations at home and abroad, equipment and infrastructure, military planning and force structure, modernization, budgeting, financing, as well as the key tasks ahead in the upcoming year 2024.

President Pendarovski underscored that the members of the Army demonstrated their professionalism, dedication, and preparedness in 2023.

“He noted that the Army responsibly fulfils the obligations arising from NATO membership, collaborates with bodies and committees within NATO and other armies, and expressed his expectation that the equipment and modernization of the Army will continue in the coming years,” reads the press release.

President Pendarovski reiterated his commitments to further enhance and maintain high-quality standards and conditions for work and service for all members of the Army, and to achieve the set goal of allocating two percent of GDP for defence.

At the annual regular briefing on the combat readiness of the Army, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska announced that the stable investment in defence and the Army will continue in 2024. Petrovska stated next year, North Macedonia will meet both criteria adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius: allocating 2 percent of GDP for defence, with one-third of these funds dedicated to modernization.

"We have received exceptionally favourable assessments for our engagement in peacekeeping missions and NATO multinational forces in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania. This serves as confirmation of our contribution to regional and collective security," Petrovska said.

Petrovska also commented on the continuous improvement of the status of Army members and employees in defence, informing that the new Law on Defence Employees is in the parliamentary procedure, and the new Collective Agreement will be adopted as soon as possible.

Throughout 2023, approximately 700 members of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia took part in numerous international exercises, both within the country and abroad. Notably, we hosted the "Swift Response 23" exercise at the Krivolak Training Area, involving around 1,850 members from the armies of four NATO countries.

In international operations, the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia participated this year in NATO operations, including KFOR in Kosovo, NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia, and Enhanced Vigilance Activities in Bulgaria and Romania. They also took part in the EU mission ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon, expanding participation with two infantry platoons and senior staff members. Our participation with personnel during the year comprised about 170 of our members, who rotated every six months.

Throughout the year, the Army demonstrated its solidarity with NATO allies by engaging its members in addressing the consequences of natural disasters. In addition to the participation of 60 of our members in activities related to searching the terrain, locating, and extracting potential survivors from the catastrophic earthquake in the Republic of Turkey, 100 members of the Army were involved in addressing the consequences of floods in Slovenia.

According to the modernization and equipment plan of the Army, in June, an additional 32 JLTV light armoured vehicles introduced into the composition of the Army. The procurement of all equipment and other gear is progressing according to the planned schedule.

The briefing on combat readiness is the Chief of the General Staff's annual regular obligation before the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, intending to present the status of the Army's combat readiness and the planned activities for the next year.