Skopje, 3 March 2026 (MIA) - Wherever you are from in this great transatlantic Alliance, we all stand together. And together, we continue to safeguard the peace and security of our nations. North Macedonia benefits from this every day. For example, jets from Greece and Italy patrol your skies to keep you safe. This sends a clear signal - no one stands alone in NATO. Your friends and Allies are always with you. As we face a more dangerous and volatile world, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Tuesday in his address to MPs, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, senior officials of the institutions, representatives of religious communities, and members of the diplomatic corps in the country.

“Russia continues to threaten our security and wage its war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea, and Iran, and together they have been expanding their militaries and their ability to apply pressure on us. Global competition is intensifying, and Allies face the persistent threat of terrorism. Iran has been an exporter of chaos. The danger it poses is far reaching. Allies have been clear that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, and cannot continue with its missile programme,” Rutte said.

NATO Secretary General in his address referred to NATO financing noting that it is essential for ensuring the security of all Allies.

“I welcome that North Macedonia and other Allies are indeed spending more on defence. And it is important we live up to our commitments on defence spending. This is essential as we head towards the NATO Summit in Ankara later this year in July. Where we will be laser focused on delivering on what we agreed last year in The Hague. To invest more in defence, to ramp up defence industrial production, and to continue our support for Ukraine. All of us spending more on defence makes all of us more secure. I expect Allies at the Summit to show they are on a clear and credible path towards spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035,” Rutte noted.

According to him “together there is always common ground. Freedom and democracy. And that must be protected.”

“As parliamentarians, I count on you to support and make the case for more defence investment,” he added.

Rutte spoke about the support that NATO is providing to Ukraine in the war with Russia, and President Trump has been clear he wants the war to end. It is clear: Ukraine’s security is our security, he said.

“And let us not forget that stability and success in this part of Europe - the Western Balkans - is essential for NATO. Security in this region is a shared responsibility. And I will continue to count on North Macedonia to lead by example,” he said.

“And I can see first-hand now the great contributions that North Macedonia is making to our shared security. Your troops serve in NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Bulgaria and Latvia, helping to deter aggression and defend Allied territory,” Rutte said.

“And in neighbouring Kosovo, your forces are part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission, KFOR. You have become an “exporter” of security! KFOR is important for all of us. It has contributed significantly to regional security and long-term stability in the Western Balkans. We must keep the troubles of the past, firmly in the past. Divisive rhetoric is reckless and dangerous. It is the enemy of progress. We can never allow peace to be jeopardised. We will continue to work together as Allies – and here I particularly value the perspective that you and other Allies in the region provide. As well as with our international partners, like the European Union,” Rutte said.

At the start of the NATO Secretary General’s address in Parliament, MPs from Levica held up a banner to voice opposition to NATO’s policies. Rutte continued his address and described the MPs’ conduct as democratic.

Photo: MIA