Skopje, 15 September 2021 (MIA) – Defense Ministry State Secretary Dragan Nikolikj met Wednesday with Major General Joseph Jarrard, United States Army Europe and Africa Deputy Commanding General, and said North Macedonia remains a credible NATO ally. State Secretary Nikolikj said the Ministry’s priorities focus on Army equipment and modernization, adding that military integration in NATO is developing as planned, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. Major General Jarrard thanked Nikolikj on behalf of the United States for the 20-year-long participation of North Macedonia’s Army in the Afghanistan mission, which is culminating with the temporary stay of refugees in the country, considered the highest act of partnership and alliance with the U.S. Interlocutors reaffirmed the excellent bilateral cooperation, benefits of military education, experience exchange through exercises and training, support to the transformation of Krivolak army field into a regional training centre, and enhancement of the cyber defense capacities, reads the press release. Earlier in the day, Jarrard also met with Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, and paid a visit to the Shtip-based army barracks.