Skopje, 14 September 2022 (MIA) – Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska and United States Ambassador to North Macedonia, Kate Marie Byrnes, attended Wednesday a military drill at the Krivolak army field, which included the new JLTV Oshkosh armored vehicles and the army helicopters. “Krivolak is the best example of the efficiency of our mutual cooperation. When we have clear goals and when we are committed to development, our friends and strategic partners are always here to aid us,” said Minister Petrovska after the drill. Petrovska added it is precisely at Krivolak that the members of the Macedonian Army and the US Armed Forces train not side by side, but with each other, learning new skills, new abilities and jointly developing the interoperability that is crucial for the security and stability of both countries and the Euro-Atlantic area, the Defense Ministry said in a press release. In terms of the defense cooperation of the two countries, Petrovska pointed out the development of the army field where the infrastructure was jointly improved and new training facilities were built, while at the same time over 1.000 members of the Army have received a large amount of training and education in the US. Together, emphasized the Minister, we are implementing the modernization process, the largest in its scope so far. “With the procurement of the new armored vehicles, JLTV Oshkosh and Stryker, together we are transforming the Army and creating an Army that is and will continue to be of real value to the collective defense, something that in these uncertain times represents a pillar for our safety and security,” underscored the Defense Minister. On occasion of the completion of Ambassador Byrnes’ term of office, Petrovska thanked her for the vision, commitment and openness to always go one step further in the development of mutual cooperation, which is the basis of our shared values and principles of mutual respect and trust. After the demonstration drill, Petrovska presented Byrnes with a Macedonian flag and a plaque in the name of the excellent cooperation between North Macedonia and the United States, which has especially intensified during Byrnes' term as Ambassador to the country. ad/ik/