Skopje, 17 August 2022 (MIA) – The cooperation between the Army of North Macedonia and the Vermont National Guard, realized through training of members of both armies, implementation of joint exercises, as well as joint participation in peace missions, were the topic of discussion at President Stevo Pendarovski’s Wednesday’s meeting with the commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight, said a press release from the President’s Office. “The U.S. has been our key supporter since our independence, our cooperation in the area of defence which began with the establishment of our army in 1992 is constantly being promoted and deepened,” said Pendarovski. According to the press release, the excellent cooperation was evidenced by the joint participation in the “Swift Response 22” military exercise at Krivolak, sponsored by the U.S. Army in Europe together with the armed forces of six other NATO members, in which 4.600 soldiers participated. “The Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation from 2008 was also discussed at the meeting as well as other bilateral legal arrangements, which provide a broad framework for cooperation. In addition to this, it was pointed out that there is potential for further deepening of the strategic partnership,” said the President’s Office in the press release. The meeting was preceded by a ceremony at the President’s Office during which Major General Gregory Knight awarded President Pendarovski a Medal of Service for meritorious achievement from May 12, 2019 to July 9, 2022, as an outstanding and vital colleague in support of the State Partnership Program with the Vermont National Guard, said the press release. ad/ba/