Skopje, 9 January 2024 (MIA) - The recent events at M-NAV were a disgrace. It has never happened to me, and when that physical confrontation was taking place, to be requested by the key ambassadors in Skopje. There were high-ranking representatives from NATO asking whether the airspace is safe, even for NATO aircraft, President Stevo Pendarovski said in an interview with Sitel TV late on Tuesday.

Pendarovski said that during that period, out of the 20 to 30 flyovers or landings, there were two NATO aircraft. “Ensuring the safety of those people is of utmost importance. However, it is good that the government stepped in to clarify the situation,” he said.

Asked about the names of the new directors of M-NAV, the recent proposal for the head of M-NAV, who was a relative of Ali Ahmeti, and the fact that DUI remains in charge of that institution, Pendarovski responded that he does not believe only DUI is at the helm of that institution. He noted that he has no information about what happened in the government in the past few hours, but, as he pointed out, the executive authorities should engage in a process of clarifying this case.

In his view, M-NAV is in need of a major overhaul.

Pendarovski emphasized that the dissatisfaction of air traffic controllers has been going on for quite some time and reminded that their union reacted a year or two ago when there were attempts within the Danish competition to admit unqualified personnel.

“This is part of critical infrastructure. It is viewed with special attention. There is a special law for that critical infrastructure. We are a NATO member, and such a scandal should not be allowed,” he said.

He highlighted that, as a political figure, he must not interfere in those procedures. Still, he informed that, based on the obtained video footage, it involves a physical confrontation, not just a quarrel.  Pendarovski emphasized that what occurred is the responsibility of the prosecution, but it is not merely a quarrel.

Photo: Print Screen