Skopje, 15 August 2022 (MIA) - More than 200 officers, non-commissioner officers and civilians working in the Army will be awarded gold badges for their long service at a ceremony on Tuesday marking the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Army. They will be presented certificates of appreciation for their hard work and personal investment in establishing an army worthy of respect and worthy of the trust of the citizens, Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska told a news conference Monday. A day before the main event on August 18, held under the motto "30 Years of Security, Stability and Trust", part of the latest modern equipment of the Army will be displayed on Wednesday at the Skopje army stadium at 6:30 pm. The event will also feature a meet and greet with members of the special forces and performances by the military orchestra featuring Macedonian pop stars. The first six new armored carriers, manufactured in the United States, will be at display on Wednesday shortly after being delivered in the country, said Minister Petrovska adding they will boost the Army's combat readiness. "A new batch of 27 armored vehicles will be delivered by the end of the year. There will be more deliveries according to the contract," she stated, adding that vehicles for special purposes, artillery systems and ammunition, anti-aircraft system will be procured in the future and the air force will be renewed. Referring to the dialogue with trade unions and promotion of the rights of army members, Minister Petrovska said that in late July, Parliament passed amendments to the law on army service. "With the changes, we are providing fair working conditions and their rightful place in the society. I'm very pleased that the changes were passed and supported by all stakeholders in the sphere of security," she stressed.