Skopje, 17 March 2023 (MIA) – Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska met on Friday with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

EU High Representative Borrell during the ceremonial welcome, greeted the Army members who participated in the EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU mission in the Central African Republic and thanked them for their contribution to regional and global security, Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

During the meeting two delegations discussed the defence cooperation between North Macedonia and the European Union, which has an enhanced dynamic that resulted in the readiness of the EU to provide €9 million in assistance from the European Peace Facility (EPF) to upgrade the equipment of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia.

Minister Petrovska thanked the EU High Representative Borrell for the support from the European Peace Facility for modernization and strengthening of the Army's capacities.

“North Macedonia has started the EU accession process and our foreign policy is fully aligned with the policy of the Union. We belong to Europe and therefore we are ambitious in joint efforts to intensify defence cooperation. The EPF assistance measures will strengthen the capacities of the Army of North Macedonia notably by enhance and upgrading the equipment of its light infantry battalion group,” Petrovska said.

In the context of North Macedonia's contribution to regional security, Petrovska said that Army members also make a personal contribution to the stability of the region and Bosnia and Herzegovina through the 17-year participation in the EU operation in this country, EUFOR-ALTHEA, and the successful contribution in the battlegroups of the Union in 2012 led by Germany, in 2014 led by Belgium and currently, in the first half of 2023, led by Greece.

“North Macedonia is a responsible and active partner of the European Union in strengthening the stability and security of the region. For seventeen years, we have been part of the ALTHEA operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which showed that we are a responsible country that does not deviate from the primary goal - a peaceful, stable, safe Western Balkans,” Petrovska said.

Borrell welcomed the support of the Republic of North Macedonia for Ukraine, as a state that defends its own territory, said that the Union is committed to the development of defence cooperation with North Macedonia and acknowledged our long-term contribution to regional and global security.

With this assistance measure European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €9 million to upgrade equipment of the Army of North Macedonia, the EU makes its contribution to the strengthening of the Army that is actively contributing to EU missions and operations. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to speak to the men and women of the Army who have served in EU-led missions. I congratulate you and thank you and I hope that you will continue your participation in missions, Borrell said, adding that this is a clear indication of the European Union's commitment to further strengthening cooperation on security and defence with the future member states in the Western Balkans, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Defence