Skopje, 17 January 2022 (MIA) — We’ll overcome all challenges together [...] as a team, a team called the Republic of North Macedonia, said Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska in her speech to the army after taking over her duties from Radmila Shekerinska. "I am taking over the post of Minister of Defense in very different social and political circumstances than those in 2017. Today, our homeland is a NATO member country, which didn’t just happen by accident. Getting there took a lot of effort, commitment, and political sacrifice," Minister Petrovska said. She thanked former Defense Minister Shekerinska and other politicians who made visionary decisions in the interest of the citizens despite being criticized and vilified, she said. NATO membership, she said, was one of the most important chapters of recent Macedonian history and a result of having made the right political steps as well as the army’s readiness to accept NATO standards and principles. "Aware of the stakes,” Petrovska said, “and fully respecting the reforms and progress made, I now face the serious challenge of preserving what has been achieved so far while also being a political driver in the processes to come.” She pledged to continue the projects underway at an even more intense pace. One of her priorities, she said, would be to maintain stable defense financing and reach two percent of GDP for the defense budget by 2024. Another priority she listed was the adoption of the Law on Defense Administration to ensure a fair treatment of the defense administration workers, their status, rights and duties. "There is no strong defense without a modern army,” Petrovska said. “This is why we will continue equipping and modernizing the army. There is no strong defense without happy and cared-for army members. This is why I will continue improving the working conditions and living standards of the military and civilian personnel." She promised renovations of military facilities and infrastructure in line with modern standards using renewable energy sources. She also said the state would continue investing in the development of the Krivolak military range as a valuable domestic and NATO resource. She pledged to maintain a high level of transparency and integrity at work and nurture the multiethnic character of the country. She also said she would support gender equity to better the position of women in the military. The new Defense Minister said the army would further develop its defense against hybrid threats and cyber attacks through investments in equipment and cyber defense experts. She said its public relations experts would also continue fighting against fake news and misinformation. Petrovska pointed out that army members would continue participating in international NATO peacekeeping operations and missions, as well. Handing over her duties as Minister of Defense, Shekerinska said it was an honor for her to have served the country. "I’m proud I was part of the historic successes we achieved together," she said. Addressing the members of the army, she told them that their sincerity, honesty, and professionalism had impressed her and motivated her to be better every day. “Leadership for me has never been a matter of privilege, status or position, but of action, making decisions, taking responsibility,” Shekerinska said. mr/