Skopje, 14 October 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s contribution in NATO and EU is crucial for the stability of the Balkans, tweeted French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu after a meeting with North Macedonia’s counterpart Slavjanka Petrovska in Paris on Friday. “We share the same challenges and we should find common solutions. They key to a safe and prosperous future of the region lies in the democratization and enhanced Europeanization of the Western Balkans,” Lecornu told Petrovska during the meeting. Earlier today, North Macedonia and France signed a defense cooperation agreement that will enable the development of the capabilities of the armed forces and capacities of the Army, along with training and support in the development of defense policies, the Defense Ministry said in a press release.