Skopje, 26 September 2023 (MIA) — Ahead of the US-Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense conference on Wednesday, Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska welcomed General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of United States European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

According to an official press release, Petrovska and Cavoli at their meeting discussed the security situation in Europe, the contribution of the United States and North Macedonia in strengthening the collective security of the Alliance as well as the development of cooperation between the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia and the US Army Europe.

Minister Petrovska said the country was committed to implementing the NATO Capability Package and improving the capacities of the Army to strengthen the security of North Macedonia, the region and the Alliance.

"North Macedonia is a committed NATO ally and a strategic partner of the United States. I can say with certainty that our defense budget next year will reach 2 percent of GDP, and that we are continuing with our modernization of the Army," Petrovska said.

The defense minister also discussed joint trainings and military exercises with the US Army, pointing them out as the best way to continue building interoperability in the Alliance.

General Cavoli said the cooperation between the US Army Europe and the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia was at the highest level and it would continue developing further. mr/