Skopje, 17 August 2021 (MIA) – Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska is paying on Tuesday a visit to Turkey, where she is set to meet with the Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar and sign a five-year agreement for military and financial cooperation. The agreement, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release, entails annual allocation of finances from Turkey to North Macedonia, set to be used to enhance combat capacities, procure equipment and modernize the Army. Moreover, interlocutors will discuss at the meeting plans for future cooperation in areas of defence, education, training and exercises, in line with the bilateral cooperation agreement for 2021. Shekerinska is also set to attend the opening of the 2021 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF21), taking place August 17-20 in Istanbul. “The Macedonian delegation, led by Minister Shekerinska, will attend IDEF21 to inspect opportunities for procuring new equipment with the aim of modernizing the Army. 25% of North Macedonia’s defence budget for 2021 have been allocated for this purpose,” the Ministry of Defence said in a press release. IDEF21, it added, is one of the leading fairs in the world, showcasing the most technologically advanced military equipment. Some 1,000 domestic and foreign companies, as well as 400 delegations, are expected to take part in the event.