Skopje, 24 October 2024 (MIA) – Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski and Turkey’s Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler signed yesterday in Istanbul a framework agreement for military cooperation. The agreement was signed on behalf of the countries’ governments, based on “expressed need to improve the existing friendly ties,” the Defense Ministry said. 

“The agreement aims at developing the countries’ cooperation in the field of military cooperation, military training and education, joint participation in exercises, military operations and humanitarian aid operations, the defense industry, military intelligence, logistic cooperation, military medicine and healthcare services, communications and information systems and cyber defense, and exchange of personnel for professional development,” said the press release.

In the meeting, Minister Misajlovski extended “huge gratitude for the continuing support by the ally Turkey, which is our key partner and friend since our independence and a key stakeholder and contributor to the army’s modernization and it being equipped with new, state-of-the-art means, compatible with NATO standards.” 

On Wednesday, Minister Misajlovski also held a meeting with Haluk Gorgun, Secretary of Turkish Defence Industries, in which they discussed ways to intensify cooperation as part of the Macedonian Army’s efforts to modernize as well as way to expand the bilateral military cooperation.

Defense Minister Misajlovski and Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski were part of a Macedonian delegation that attended the 4th SAHA EXPO 2024, an international defense and aerospace exhibition in Istanbul.

Photo: MoD