Skopje, 18 August 2021 (MIA) – Today is Army Day, a day when we proudly express our sincere gratitude to the soldiers for their continuous dedication, professionalism and selfless engagement when it comes to the protection of our country’s territorial integrity and safety, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev wrote in a Facebook post on his official account. “The Army of North Macedonia has left a permanent and prominent mark on our homeland’s independence, based on the famous traditions of the partisan units in WWII that stood with the progressive antifascist forces and liberated our country, making our citizens’ centuries-long dream of an independent country into reality,” as per Zaev’s post. On 18 August 1943, the Mirce Acev battalion was founded on Mount Slavej in south-west Macedonia, considered the first organized military formation in Macedonia in WWII. 78 years later, he says, our army participates in international peace missions alongside the soldiers of the member countries of NATO, upholding the Alliance’s standards and contributing to the preservation of global peace and safety. “Today, we express our gratitude to all soldiers for their huge contributions to the safety and sovereignty of our country, for their contributions to the NATO accession process, for their participation in peace missions and helping citizens after natural disasters,” the PM wrote. Zaev says that we are continuously improving the soldiers’ status with constant budget growths that increase salaries, are used to purchase new personal and combat gear, with legal frameworks for support to create optimal conditions for obligation fulfilment. “In the name of the government, the citizens of North Macedonia, and personally, thank you for all your efforts, your selflessness, your help, and the fact that you secure a promising future for the present and future generations. Happy Army Day,” PM Zaev said. dk/ba/