Skopje, 3 March 2026 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi held a meeting Tuesday with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, during which they discussed the country’s full alignment with the European Union’s Common Security and Foreign Policy, the EU’s joint defense initiatives, and support for Ukraine.

At the meeting, Rutte welcomed the country’s commitment to promoting regional stability as a NATO member in a fragile region.

“He stressed the importance of parliaments and parliamentarians being vocal as an irreplaceable democratic instrument for supporting national priorities, especially in strengthening the army’s defense capacities and enhancing security, in line with the alliance’s projected vision,” Parliament said in a press release. 

Gashi introduced the Secretary General to the current situation in the country, in light of latest developments in the Middle East and Ukraine.

“Gashi highlighted North Macedonia’s dedicated policy as a credible ally that, as before, will continue to contribute effectively to securing regional and global peace and security. In a time of heightened global uncertainty, Speaker Gashi stressed the importance of close relations, sustainable political dialogue, and a shared commitment to international law and collective security. He further underlined that the country’s EU membership is not merely an institutional matter of accession. In light of current instabilities, he emphasized that the question of European integration of the Western Balkans is increasingly becoming an issue directly tied to Europe’s security,” Parliament said.

According to Parliament, Rutte welcomed the country’s commitment to boost defense spending and its efforts to provide the appropriate aid for Ukraine. 

The meeting was attended by parliamentary whips and deputy whips Nikola Micevski, Jovanka Trenchevska, Bekim Qoku, Rina Ajdari, and Boban Karapejovski, as well as the head of Parliament’s delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Dragan Kovachki, and Parliament’s Secretary General Marina Dimovska.

Earlier in the day, the NATO Secretary General addressed the MPs at a session of Parliament.

Photo: Parliament