Brussels, 25 June 2024 (MIA) - As a NATO member, we have to be a responsible country especially amid the complex geopolitical context in the continent we're living in, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski stated Tuesday in Brussels after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"It's not a question of should we, we have to keep pursuing these investments. It is in the interest of the Alliance, in which we are a member, but we also believe it is also in our national interest," Mucunski said reiterating the country is committed to meeting the two percent defense spending target. 

Expressing satisfaction with the Stoltenberg meeting, the new minister said it was positive and sincere in which he underlined the commitments of the new Hristijan Mickoski-led government's in relation to the country's NATO membership as well as the support of the deterrence and defense policy and the continued support for Ukraine. 

Mucunski added they also discussed the coming NATO summit, which marks the Alliance's 75th anniversary. PM Mickoski will be the head of the country's delegation at the summit.
 

"We plan to take active part where key decisions will be made in connection to the future of the Alliance. We will definitely be an active contributor to these future policies," he said.

In addition to the 100-percent alignment of the country with the EU's foreign and security policy, Mucunski said, it is equally important that it is doing the same thing as a NATO member, being a small country.

"Protecting the order of the international public law is pretty important. What has been happening in Ukraine from this point of view, but also from a security point of view, cannot be allowed to happen again. Our commitments, both political and security-wise, will be still directed at supporting Ukraine and putting an end as soon as possible to this unfortunate war conflict," concluded FM Mucunski.

The Minister resumes his two-day Brussels with meetings with top EU officials.

Photo: MIA