The NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus G. Grinkevich, visited the Ilinden barracks in Skopje, praising North Macedonia as a valued ally contributing to collective security.
He noted that Macedonian soldiers serve alongside allies in Bulgaria, Latvia, and Romania, playing a key role in deterrence and defense on NATO’s eastern flank. Grinkevich highlighted that North Macedonia already invests about 4% of GDP in defense, calling it a significant step toward NATO’s 5% target by 2035.
Chief of General Staff of the Army of North Macedonia, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, said the visit confirmed trust and partnership, stressing that NATO membership is both a security guarantee and a responsibility. He emphasized that the Army is modern, well-equipped, and a credible ally, with over 180 personnel deployed on NATO’s eastern wing and in missions in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
