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Contribution of the Republic of Macedonia to Global Security and World Peace
03 Feb 2010 Respected students, It is my exquisite honour and pleasure, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, to welcome you today at the Military Academy in Skopje. At the same time, I would like to underline the pride for today’s event and thank you for enabling its realization by responding to our invitation and coming in such large numbers. Namely, today and at this venue, the Military Academy in Skopje, we mark a new specific moment in the cycle of debates to which the Ministry of Defence and I personally, as Minister, remain strongly committed. The specificity is due to several moments. A specific moment is primarily the fact that the regular cycle of debates today is being held at our Military Academy, which has been reactivated this year, after six years of moratorium, celebrating the national university education in the defence sector. The restarting of the Military Academy in Skopje acknowledges the priorities of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. Our strong commitment to the enhancement of the education has thus acquired its adequate dimension in the tremendously important area of defence. I am convinced that our efforts invested in the reactivation of our Military Academy will contribute to the enhancement of our national capacities, and moreover, to the enhancement of our capacities for regional and global binding and contribution. Furthermore, today’s debate is specific for its new thematic direction. I would like to remind you that the previous debates held in November in Bitola, in April at the State University in Tetovo and in December at FON University, were dedicated to the topic – The Republic of Macedonia on Its Path to NATO. Differently from those debates, today’s debate at the Military Academy in Skopje is dedicated to the most tangible and most concrete confirmation of the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to become part of NATO and the European Union – the Contribution of the Republic of Macedonia to Global Security and World Peace. For the purpose of a broader affirmation of the Contribution of the Republic of Macedonia to global security, peace and stability, the Ministry of Defence has developed appropriate promotional materials, which served as the foundation for today’s presentation and which have been made available at the official web site of the Ministry of Defence. Dear All, I am convinced that today’s debate will convey several important messages. Today, we remind once more that the Republic of Macedonia is resolute in fulfilling its strategic commitment to become part of NATO and the European Union and despite all challenges it is a goal we are not receding from. Today we celebrate the enormous contribution that the defence and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia provide in the accomplishment of the strategic commitments of our motherland. Today we demonstrate that we want to, and, as importantly, that we can do it. Our defence achievements, most manifest through the substantial contribution of our country to peace operations worldwide, today confirm once again that the Republic of Macedonia has managed to grow into an equal and credible partner of both NATO and the European Union. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia demonstrates today that in addition to the overall reform efforts, is concurrently strongly dedicated to maintaining the high level of public support for the Euro-Atlantic and European integration. Today’s debate, held precisely under this title, is being held immediately following the participation of Minister Miloshoski at the London Conference for Afghanistan and prior to my trip tomorrow to Istanbul to attend the NATO Ministerial where we will discuss again the Partner efforts of the Alliance in Afghanistan. Today, the Republic of Macedonia contributes to global security and world peace by taking part in missions led by NATO, the EU and the United Nations, which together with the host nation support, amounts to some 3% of our land forces. Keeping track with the priorities of the Alliance, the Republic of Macedonia has already declared a reinforced contribution to Afghanistan by 50% as of April this year. Given the announced increase of our contribution to Afghanistan, when two additional Macedonian platoons together with the Vermont National Guard from the USA will take part in the training and mentorship of the Afghan security forces, the Republic of Macedonia will contribute 260 peace keepers, that is, 4% deployability of its army forces – a percentage of contribution which is fairly serious and still unattained even by a number of NATO and EU member countries. Dear All, The Republic of Macedonia is a model of the enormous transformational power ensuing from its strategic commitments to become part of NATO and the European Union. Over these 18 years of its independence, it has grown into a factor of regional stability and moreover, in the past 7 years it has contributed not only to regional, but also to global security, peace and stability. Therefore, we dedicate this day to our Macedonian peace keepers, who remain our ambassadors throughout this period from gaining our independence to this very day affirming the Republic of Macedonia and its contribution to peace and stability worldwide in the best possible way. In our joint efforts to become part of NATO and the European Union, the Macedonian peace keepers give their utmost contribution. Today, at the Military Academy we send a message that we invest everything we believe in and strive towards in the young, since they are our most secure stake in a perspective and prosperous Republic of Macedonia. Thank you. |
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