The Republic of Macedonia is strongly committed to meet its strategic determination to become part of NATO and the European Union and this is a goal to which we are not retreating, stated Minister of Defence Zoran Konjanovski during today’s address in front of the cadets of the Military Academy on the Forum “Contribution of the Republic of Macedonia towards Global Security and World Peace”.

- The achievements in the part of defence, most evident through the large contribution of our country towards the peace operations in the world, confirm that Macedonia succeeded in merging into an equal credible partner of NATO and the EU, stated Konjanovski.

Macedonia, as he stated, contributes towards global security and world peace through the participation in missions led by NATO, the EU and the United Nations, with about three percent of its land forces.

The ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Skopje, Simone Filippini believes that if in the future Macedonia needs to participate with equipment, it will need more finances intended for this. – These are tough times and all NATO members are thinking how to redistribute the defence budget. Macedonia, who is still implementing the reforms, is in an even more difficult situation because in line with those reforms it needs to also procure equipment and that represents an additional burden in relation to the finances. This is why a long-term defence development plan needs to exist where plans for the procurement of equipment will be included, stated Filippini.

Currently, according to her, Macedonia is giving the most important contribution by providing personnel for the missions. – If in the future it is established that it should also contribute with equipment then things will become more complicated because with all the changes in the security challenges in the forthcoming period, such a requirement will be imposed for all NATO members and for the Republic of Macedonia, added Filippini.

Minister Konjanovski stated that because of the world economic crises, the budget in all NATO member states has been decreased, not just in Macedonia. - But, maybe now is the moment to discuss about this in the Ministry and in the Army and to see where we can save and to use those saved money for procuring equipment and training for ARM members, added the Minister of Defence. With the announced increase in the contribution in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan with additional two platoons who together with the National Guard of the American State of Vermont will join in the training and mentorship of the Afghan Security Forces. Macedonia will participate with 260 peacekeepers, or four percent deployed army forces.