(1 July 2009, Brussels)

Dear Deputy Secretary General,
Respected Ambassadors,
Colleagues and friends,

It is my honor to greet you here in Brussels, soon after our recent meeting during the EAPC Security Forum in Kazakhstan. Today, I would like to outline the efforts and progress in the area of defense.

In short, I would like to summarize that defense is and remains a segment where the Republic of Macedonia most evidently confirms its strategic commitment of becoming a part of the Alliance. The constant defense reforms, the strong defense leadership and mentorship in the Region and our continuous efforts for maintaining the public support for NATO membership, are our contribution to meeting the strategic determination, our top priority, for which there is no alternative.
The continuous defense reforms and transformation of the armed forces enabled us to build a small, strong and mobile army in line with the constant evolution of the Alliance itself. Today, we are contributing to operations led by NATO, the European Union and the UN. Thus, we contribute towards the joint efforts of the international community and we reaffirm our twofold strategic priority for becoming a part of NATO and the EU.

We continue to invest in a modern army, which is a true reflection of the multiethnicity of our functional democracy, a model in the Region and well beyond. Our efforts for implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement have resulted in 26 percent ethnic representation which is a huge step forward compared to the previous years. This percentage by categories is 29% as part of the professional soldiers, 29% NCOs and 16% officers. The reactivation of the Military Academy will contribute to the establishment of a modern officer education system in compliance to the highest military education standards in the NATO member countries. At the same time it will be an opportunity for enhancing the percentage of ethnic representation in the officer corps category.

Our army is a desired and respected partner. I was proud to witness this during my recent visit to Afghanistan this April, where our troops are engaged in providing protection to the NATO HQ in Kabul, as part of the OMLTs, the A3 medical team and the joint surgical medical team within the Norwegian PRT in Mayamanah.

The priorities of the Alliance are our priorities. We are ready to follow the requirements of the Alliance in facing the emerging security challenges. Our contribution to Afghanistan will be increase by over 46% as of 2010. The two additional platoons will participate in the training of the Afghan Security Forces. Moreover, we are prepared to offer our experience and lessons learned in the training of the Kosovo Security Forces immediately after the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this way, we believe that we can provide a serious contribution in building trust, security and stability in the whole Region.

The Government is committed to provide stabile defense budgeting at the level of 2% of the GDP. The world economic crisis caused a rebalance of our budget which was reflected in the reduction of the defense budget for about 18%. However, I would like to underline that all accepted obligations related to contribution to missions abroad by the end of 2009 have already been approved by the Parliament and remain financially protected. The effect of the economic crisis will not cancel but only delay the implementation of the Equipping and Modernization Plan of our army. More specifically, in terms of 2009 this will only postpone the acquisition of one transport helicopter.

Dear Colleagues,

Allow me to emphasize that we are fully aware of our responsibilities, and we remain committed to our defense reforms, our contribution to the Region and the transformation of the Alliance itself as its credible partner and member.

Thank you